Hearing God Whisper.

Recap

Now while we’ve talked about God’s external voice, 1. Jesus 2. Scripture 3. Prophecy

this morning we’ll make and shift and start unpacking the truths about God’s voice in us internally.

A Gentle Whisper

Often times we want God to kick down the door, blow up the roof, or send an angel, perhaps all of the above. He’s all powerful right? We think that the most dramatic approach would be the most appropriate the majority of the time.

But one of the most beautiful truths of reality is that the Eternal Sovereign Creator, more often then not, whispers. No special affects, cgi, pyrotechnics, fog, or light show. Sometimes maybe, but more likely, He prefers something similar to a polite tap of the should of you soul. He walks shoulder to should with no matter what path we’re on.

Take this story for example

Mark 6:48–51 (ESV)

48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,

Here we see the fascinating personality of God. The one who walks on water also playfully means to just casually walk right passed the disciples, who are struggling to maintain their boat. He could easily just stop the storm but he plays this game with them first.

Similarly on the road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:28 (ESV)

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,

Jesus, who just rose from the dead by the way, spent well over an 1hr explaining the purpose of everything to this couple and then is just about to leave them, like he has somewhere else to be, without ever revealing who he actually is. Then they invite Him in and He quickly obliges.

How many people have missed an opportunity for the full benefits of a life with Jesus, because, perhaps they know about Him, maybe even have spent time with Him, but they haven’t fully invited Him in? They could point Jesus out in a line up, but if he was standing next to them at the gas pump, they wouldn’t recognize Him

This brings to mind

John 1:10 (ESV)

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

The all powerful creator of the universe decides primarily to speak in “whisper” in a way that only those who would definitely know the Shepards voice would understand. humbly and meekly. Non intrusively.

a God that prefers to sit at the table with sinners rather than uppercut them to the third heaven.

He waits for us to ask, knock, and seek.

He is patient and unhurried, He knows all things and has them all worked out.

God could cure cancer. But he instead calls, equips, and inspires doctors with the abilities to discover new breakthroughs.

He could stop all murders now. Either way His justice will prevail. Now or in eternity.

He could show up in your living room every Tuesday at 6pm with a pizza. Or he could inspire you to attend a class like this.

Gods often speaks in a gentle whisper

The vast majority of people spend the majority of their time living in and experiencing all the wonderful gifts that God gives us, for the purpose of communicating His love and goodness, and they completely disregard the giver of those good gifts.

Why the whisper?

Elijah, prophets of baal, no one repents, Elijah has to flee, mount horeb signs, whisper.

1 Kings 19:9–13 (ESV)

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

The Lord isn’t in the fire, the wind, or the earthquake, He’s in the whisper

It is in the whisper that God sits with us as a friend and speaks to us.

We of course know that God can kick down the door, part the Red Sea, walk on the water, tear down the walls, but what if the reason he doesn’t do those things all the time is because those types of acts don’t reflect the true nature of His heart to us.

EG. Direct and over bearing vs. soft and guiding

We must learn to list for the Fathers voice in the ordinary moments of life, understanding, that is the place He most desires to be. He doesn’t want to just come into our messy room and clean up the mess by Himself. He wants to sit on the floor with us and teach us the clean up song.

We must regularly practice listening to and for the voice of the Father in the midst of the trials and tribulations of life. We must train ourselves to live the type of life that prepares to hear and know His voice when life is it’s loudest.

On the Emmaus rd. the couple was kept from seeing Jesus for who he really was. what could that have been?

What is keeping us from seeing and hearing God? Could there be distractions that obscure our hearing the voice of God?

Physiological Distraction

After Jesus’ resurrection Jesus just looked plain different. That could’ve been the reason why they simply didn’t recognize Him.

God doesn’t reveal himself to us the way he used to. God isn’t speaking to us the way that we’re used to. We’ve become too routine and going through. He wants us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him

Worship > The Word > Prayer

Psychological distraction

Baggage - There is a reliable theory that this couple consisted of one of the woman who followed Jesus that was at His feet when He died on the cross. Her husband with her on the road she is dealing with all the pain that would be attached to their loss. How meaningful is it now that Jesus slows down and patiently explains all the things that they’re struggling with.

Unmet expectations - Emmaus was a place of previous Jewish rebellion and victory against a previous empire. Jesus’s followers thought that he would “redeem” Israel and “establish His Kingdom”

Luke 24:21 ESV

21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

Spiritual Distraction

Whatever causes that may have been circulating in their heart, there is another reality. God “kept” them from seeing Jesus. Now He eventually revealed it to them.

Whatever the method that we maybe using to try and here the voice of God, if we don’t specifically open our hearts to the Holy Spirits power to transform, every method falls short.

It is God who gives ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to believe.

Practicing Listening In Silence

Every person would find great use out of taking regimented time to stop and listen to the voice of the Father

Set a timer

Take deep breathes

Go easy on yourself

Take advantage of the little solitudes (car, break room, morning, and evening

Practices

1. Try to read the Bible 4 times a week

Research shows that mental health dramatically improves upon reading 4x per week

2. Reading the Bible out loud

Whether you read it out loud or you listen to one of many audio versions available, it may benefit you to hear it out loud on a walk or in the card, or while cleaning the house

3. Write in your Bible

This might aid you in interacting with the Scriptures. Write thoughts or questions in the margins. Find a highlighting system to bring the Word alive to you visually. We recommend the Inductive Method Highlighting System

4. Live out your Bible

This is something that we should all be striving for, however maybe you come a cross a text that has an immediate application that you feel drawn to. Do it!

Luke 3:11 ESV

11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Maybe then you could donate some clothes you don’t have use for to those in need.

Questions to keep in mind while reading the Scriptures.

What is the context of this passage?(A study Bible will help)

How do I see Jesus in this passage?

What questions does this passage make me want to ask God?

How are these verses relevant to me today?

What is God saying to me through this passage?

Lectio Divina - Enhanced with a group

Split the passage into chunks for each person in your group

Vocalize any words or phrases

Re-read the passage with the first method, note highlights the Holy Spirit brings to your attention

Pray as group pertaining to what has been illuminated in your time of reflection and meditation