I had a discussion with a friend about hearing the voice of God, the Holy Spirit, and being obedient before the Lord has to raise His voice. The story is told of two boys playing together at one of the boy’s house. The father of the one boy spoke to them to do something, and they ignored him until he raised his voice and spoke again. The visiting boy got concerned, but the son told him, “Not yet.” Then after a time the father spoke louder yet, and then the son told his friend, “Now we need to listen and respond.”
How keen are my spiritual ears? Are they tuned to the faintest whisper, and am I ready to respond to direction in a given matter? Take for example in the financial area or in our leisure time. Can I be obedient, and willingly so, for the sake of my salvation or what the Lord might have in store for me?
I don’t know if the Lord raises His voice to get my attention or turns to someone else that’s more alert to the way. But if I want grace in my life for the battle, then it seems I would keep my ears cleaned and tuned for that whispering voice. It seems that the level of humility and the brokenness of my spirit are determining factors as to how keen my hearing is.
Since the Lord wants willing workers and hearts that will respond to His voice (a song says “the faintest whisper”), how many times will He try to communicate with me before He leaves me? If we think we can play the game like the boys did, we will find that the Spirit doesn’t work like that, and we are only deceiving ourselves. You know that when we’re in trouble and call on the Lord, we want His attention; so why not pay heed when He calls on us?
To have big ears and recognize the Lord’s voice takes a prepared heart, one that is free from the cares and busyness of this earth life. This is a person who is thankful for the way of salvation, one who has a broken and contrite heart and is ready to heed the Lord’s bidding or guiding hand. Such a person puts himself out for others and loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Should the Lord raise His voice, how will He do it? He loves us so much that He might afflict us in some way other than what we would desire. And yet, He might just let us go, because heaven is going to be filled with volunteers.
These words came as a warning to me, and I ask the Lord for wisdom and grace to be willing for His way.
From Messenger of Truth, No. 12, June 13, 2012
