Monday, May 17, 2010

In Other Words--Whispers and Shouts

Photobucket

God speaks. I know that some people doubt that but in my experience he speaks. His speech is not audible (usually, but I suppose it could be if he desired) but it is clear and distinct. The better we know him, the more easily we will recognize his voice.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
~Jesus~
John 10:27


Often he uses the things that are happening around us to speak to us. I have stood on mountainsides taking in his majesty or in fields of clover absorbing his beauty, and felt him applauding as I recognized him.

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12


I've sat by the seashore watching the sunset and heard the whispers of his love as the waves crashed in and out bringing more and more peace into my life.


He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
Psalm 127:29


I've sat in tears, believing my world was breaking, only to feel his arms around me and hear the lullabies of comfort come into my heart.

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17


In the midst of my troubles, he has shouted through his word to give me direction.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17



“God whispers to us in our pleasure,
but He shouts to us in our pain.”
~Rick Warren~
in Daily Hope Devotional,
titled “Tuning in to God
quoting C.S. Lewis


I do not believe that there is a formula that says "in this circumstance God talks this way, and in other circumstances he talks this way." In fact, the rest of Warren's devotion is not about how he speaks but about how we must be prepared to hear him speak by reading his word and knowing his voice. The point we need to remember is "God Speaks!"

Sometimes it is a whisper. But God speaks!
Sometimes it is a shout. But God speaks!

Are you ready to hear?

Father God, give me ears and eyes and sensitivities to hear you as you speak in the circumstances of my life. Give me the courage to act on what I hear, to believe what you are saying and doing, and to guide others to do the same. Thank you for being a God who speaks to his people. Amen.


Debbie at Heart Choices is the hostess this week. You will be blessed by visiting the other posts related to this quote this week.

6 comments:

Tami said...

The better we know him, the more easily we will recognize his voice.

Amen, sister. God is always speaking. In my experience I am more open to it when I'm in pain because I'm looking for a way out of it and He's my best option! May we park ourselves in His word so it doesn't take lots of painful experiences to hear Him.

Karen said...

It's amazing where we can hear from God, His voice is everywhere unfortunately some people don't know how to listen for it. If its not audible then it can't be there right? Wrong! Loved your post today.

Debbie Petras said...

Yes, He speaks to us in His Word, our hearts, in the beauty of His creation. But are we still enough to listen? Beautiful thoughts and Scriptures on this quote.

Loni pointed out to me that the original author of the quote I chose is actually C.S. Lewis. I believe Rick Warren must have been quoting him when I read it and loved it. I'm sorry about that. I corrected it on Heart Choices.

Blessings,
Debbie

Denise said...

Well said.

Claudia said...

Your prayer is a special blessing. This should be prayed by all who want to hear God's voice - not just that we will hear, but that we will obey.

Kristin said...

What an absolutely beautiful post.