7 Ways God Speaks! (Part 1)
"Speak, for your servant is listening” 1 Samuel 3:10.
“Go and see Ellen,” came a thought out of nowhere as I drove my children to school many years ago.
“Stop and see her on the way home.”
“You don’t stop at 8 am on a weekday morning to see someone,” I argued with myself. But the thought persisted.
After dropping off my daughter and son, I thought about how embarrassing it would be to knock on my friend’s door, say I was thinking about her, and have her wonder why I’d turn up at such a strange time. But I couldn’t stop feeling I should go and see her.
When she came to the door it was clear she had been crying. Explaining I felt I should stop by, she said, “I have been praying for the last hour that God would send someone to help me. Thank you for coming!”
Does God Speak? Yes, in many ways. But we don’t hear unless we are listening for His voice.
1 Samuel 1-3 gives a powerful illustration of the importance of listening for His voice. Perhaps you remember the story?
After God answered Hannah’s agonized prayer she gave birth to a son, who she dedicated to His service. Samuel became a vital instrument in God’s hand, blessing Israel as their prophet, priest, and last Judge of Israel. He was the one God directed to anoint David as king.
Under the guidance of his less than perfect spiritual mentor, Eli, Samuel learned a key lesson in the walk of faith:
God not only created us; He also communicates with us.
To be led by God, to experience God’s presence and power in his life, Samuel needed to learn to hear Him speak.
So do you and I.
Like Samuel, we also need to daily say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (3:10)
“Stop and see her on the way home.”
“You don’t stop at 8 am on a weekday morning to see someone,” I argued with myself. But the thought persisted.
After dropping off my daughter and son, I thought about how embarrassing it would be to knock on my friend’s door, say I was thinking about her, and have her wonder why I’d turn up at such a strange time. But I couldn’t stop feeling I should go and see her.
When she came to the door it was clear she had been crying. Explaining I felt I should stop by, she said, “I have been praying for the last hour that God would send someone to help me. Thank you for coming!”
Does God Speak? Yes, in many ways. But we don’t hear unless we are listening for His voice.
1 Samuel 1-3 gives a powerful illustration of the importance of listening for His voice. Perhaps you remember the story?
After God answered Hannah’s agonized prayer she gave birth to a son, who she dedicated to His service. Samuel became a vital instrument in God’s hand, blessing Israel as their prophet, priest, and last Judge of Israel. He was the one God directed to anoint David as king.
Under the guidance of his less than perfect spiritual mentor, Eli, Samuel learned a key lesson in the walk of faith:
God not only created us; He also communicates with us.
To be led by God, to experience God’s presence and power in his life, Samuel needed to learn to hear Him speak.
So do you and I.
Like Samuel, we also need to daily say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (3:10)
How Does God Speak? Here are 7 ways I have heard God speak which we can all experience:
1.Through Scripture:
Psalm 1 emphasizes the life-changing power of meditating, thinking about, chewing over, taking time to digest what God says. Listening requires hearing, analyzing, applying what God says to your attitudes, your choices, your behavior, and your response to God. (See my article on Meditation: https://www.poppysmith.com/blog/meditation-buddhist-based-or-bible-based)
Another way to discern God’s voice is to choose to focus on a few verses each day rather than covering large chunks of Scripture. Select a few verses, a scene from the Gospels, or part of a Psalm:
Read it slowly.
Reflect on it. Maybe put yourself into the narrative.
Respond in prayer to what stands out to you
Rest, contemplate, ask and listen to what God is saying to you.
2.Through Prayer—Drawing close to God
Personalizing prayers in Scripture draws us closer to God: Try praying verses from various Psalms such as Ps.31, 34, 40, etc. Or pray from your heart Paul’s words in Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 3:20-21 and other places. Practice repeating the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) slowly, thoughtfully, and apply it personally.
Confession is another powerful way we draw close and hear God speak. Go to Him when you’re struggling with difficult emotions and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and release any attitudes that don’t honor Him. (Ps. 139:23-24) Listen for His words of love, acceptance, and grace toward you, His beloved child.
3.Through Other Believers.
Be listening for God’s voice when spending time with other Christians who live out their faith. Sometimes it’s just a sentence or a thought or an experience they share that sticks in your mind. Notice it! Ask God if He is speaking. Is it a word of encouragement from Him? A word of conviction, or guidance, or support? His Spirit speaks through His people so seek out a church community, a small group, or a mentoring relationship. Ask Him to lead you to where you are fed, challenged and encouraged. It’s essential!
I had too much to share with you in this article so be sure and watch for Part 2 next week. We’ll look at how God speaks through:
“Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19)
Through the Spoken Word
Through the Writings of Mature Believers
Through Spirit given thoughts that prompt action
May you hear His voice of love and acceptance today,
Poppy
1.Through Scripture:
Psalm 1 emphasizes the life-changing power of meditating, thinking about, chewing over, taking time to digest what God says. Listening requires hearing, analyzing, applying what God says to your attitudes, your choices, your behavior, and your response to God. (See my article on Meditation: https://www.poppysmith.com/blog/meditation-buddhist-based-or-bible-based)
Another way to discern God’s voice is to choose to focus on a few verses each day rather than covering large chunks of Scripture. Select a few verses, a scene from the Gospels, or part of a Psalm:
Read it slowly.
Reflect on it. Maybe put yourself into the narrative.
Respond in prayer to what stands out to you
Rest, contemplate, ask and listen to what God is saying to you.
2.Through Prayer—Drawing close to God
Personalizing prayers in Scripture draws us closer to God: Try praying verses from various Psalms such as Ps.31, 34, 40, etc. Or pray from your heart Paul’s words in Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 3:20-21 and other places. Practice repeating the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) slowly, thoughtfully, and apply it personally.
Confession is another powerful way we draw close and hear God speak. Go to Him when you’re struggling with difficult emotions and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and release any attitudes that don’t honor Him. (Ps. 139:23-24) Listen for His words of love, acceptance, and grace toward you, His beloved child.
3.Through Other Believers.
Be listening for God’s voice when spending time with other Christians who live out their faith. Sometimes it’s just a sentence or a thought or an experience they share that sticks in your mind. Notice it! Ask God if He is speaking. Is it a word of encouragement from Him? A word of conviction, or guidance, or support? His Spirit speaks through His people so seek out a church community, a small group, or a mentoring relationship. Ask Him to lead you to where you are fed, challenged and encouraged. It’s essential!
I had too much to share with you in this article so be sure and watch for Part 2 next week. We’ll look at how God speaks through:
“Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19)
Through the Spoken Word
Through the Writings of Mature Believers
Through Spirit given thoughts that prompt action
May you hear His voice of love and acceptance today,
Poppy