Hello everyone, I'm Matthew Adams, and today we're venturing into the heart of a profound biblical truth. It's a journey that takes us back to the trembling feet of Mount Sinai, where the Israelites stood awestruck and terrified in the presence of God’s voice.
Scripture:
"[The tribal leaders and elders of Israel said,] 'If the LORD our God speaks to us again, we will certainly die and be consumed by this awesome fire. Can any living thing hear the voice of the living God from the heart of the fire as we did and yet survive?'" - Deuteronomy 5:25-26
The fear of God’s voice is as old as the hills, a primal response to the overwhelming power and majesty of the Divine. But throughout history, those who dared to listen, who faced the fire instead of fleeing, found something beyond the terror – a life-giving, transformative encounter with the Almighty.
Driving Points:
The Paradox of God’s Voice:
God’s voice, as terrifying as it can be in its power and purity, is not a death sentence. It’s a call to life. Moses, Joshua, Daniel, John – they all experienced the overwhelming presence of God, yet it was this very encounter that empowered and enlivened them. The voice that shakes the mountains can also whisper in the gentlest of breezes, inviting us into a deeper communion.
The Masks of Fear:
Fear of hearing God’s voice wears many disguises. It can look like indifference, doctrinal rigidity, or anxiety about what He might say. But the invitation remains open – to approach His throne of grace with boldness, to seek His voice amidst our fears. It’s not about the absence of fear but the presence of faith.
The Reward of Persistence:
In the Kingdom of God, spiritual hunger is always satisfied. Those who seek, find; those who ask, receive; those who knock, find the door swinging wide open. Hearing God’s voice is not just for the spiritual elite – it's for anyone bold enough to listen, to press through the trembling and the awe, and to seek His face.
Conclusion:
The journey of hearing God's voice is a journey of courage. It's about stepping into the fire, not to be consumed, but to be refined, to be fed, to be truly alive. His voice is a beacon that guides us through the wilderness of our lives, a source of strength and sustenance for the path ahead.
Call to Action:
So, let’s take up the challenge. Let’s approach the throne of grace with boldness, undeterred by fear or doubt. Let’s seek His voice with the assurance that He is more than willing to speak to those who are willing to listen.
Prayer:
Lord, grant us the courage to seek Your voice amidst our fears. Help us to see beyond the fire and the thunder, to the loving, guiding presence that calls us to a deeper communion with You. May our hearts be open, our spirits willing, and our ears attuned to Your life-giving words. Amen.
This is Matthew Adams, signing off with a reminder that the voice of God is not something to flee from but to seek after. It’s in the heart of the fire that we find the heart of God. Until next time, keep listening, keep seeking, and keep walking in the courage that comes from hearing His voice.
23-322 The Courage to Listen: Embracing the Voice of God