Greetings in the name of the Mighty One, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! This morning it seems like God wants to do some house-keeping … and rinse away some the dust of the last weeks. He really is quite careful in how He tends his creation- even when we do not appreciate his methodology. I will be praying for you today using Paul’s words to the church at Philippi: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight… Philippians 1:9 NIV
This morning I have been considering two phrases from Scripture: “God spoke” or “God said” and “the voice of God” and the reason I am doing this is because of a quote that came my way. The quote says: “A preacher preaches a message. A voice is much more than this. A message can deliver content, but a voice comes from an anointed life that has the power to actually turn people. A message can deliver information. A voice can deliver people. Anyone can deliver a message, but only a consecrated life can be a voice.” Wes Martin.
When God speaks, He is often passing along information or direction – content. However when the voice of God is heard, it is for affecting the life situation of his people. The Psalmist say: The voice of the LORD is over the waters – the voice of the LORD is powerful – the voice of the LORD is majestic – the voice of the LORD breaks the cedars – the voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning – the voice of the LORD shakes the desert – the voice of the LORD twists the oaks … Psalm 29 NIV. Perhaps I am stretching things a little but I believe there is something to think about here.
We can experience God speaking through creation or through music or through art or through human experience…and that is not to be dismissed. There is something comforting and affirming and instructive involved. All too often when God speaks, it is for anyone who will pay attention. However, when you experience the voice of God…it is to release his power and glory in a way that affects the individual or through that individual to a faith community or even the world. I believe that the voice of God manifests his presence in a way that can be discomforting and challenging and provocative and transformative..
There is a need in our lives to ‘hear God speak’ as He builds us up and encourages us and instructs us. We need to growing in our relationship with him. But, there are times when we need to experience the ‘voice of God’ infiltrating our security and safety and comfort. We need to have the voice of God make us uncomfortable and to interrupt our routine and to interfere with our plans. WE won’t always welcome the voice of God but experience teaches us that we wouldn’t be who we are today without it. We need God to speak to us and we need the voice of God.
Something to think about! Be blessed!