His Voice

But ADONAI’s eyes watch over those who fear him, over those who wait for his grace 

 to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.

CJB Bible
https://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/psalms/33.html

But ADONAI’s eyes watch over those who fear him, over those who wait for his grace to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 33:18-19 CJB

Several years ago, I realized the need to learn the voice of God—separating it from the clamor of others. I heard a charge to carry my camera everywhere in anticipation of my next “God Picture”.

One day, as I stepped out of my house, I grabbed my camera and jumped in my car to run some errands. As I drove past a curve in the road, I sensed a powerful attraction to the sky —noticing the draw lessening, I spun my car around, chasing after the point with the strongest pull. The angel wing-like clouds held in the cerulean sky— coupled with an irresistible magnetic-like force, intrigued me to stop and explore the tugging in my heart.

Without delay, I walked promptly to the scene, composed the photograph, snapped eight frames, and resumed my daily scheduled tasks. Later, as I reflected on the photos, I realized the variance in my capture—I didn’t have to seek the photographs—I heard precisely where to find them.  

The photograph is named His Voice, and it is numbered Dalet ד, the Hebrew letter and number meaning: “door,” “a poor man,” “lifting up”— “elevation,” “the number four.” 

In 1 Kings 13, we read about a prophet directed by God to go to Bethel. God gave the prophet a message, clear instructions for his journey, and promised a sign as he delivered the message to confirm it was from God. God kept His word and protected the prophet while he was obedient to the instructions.

In John 10, Jesus teaches the importance of knowing His voice, hearing His voice, and obeying His voice. He reminds us that He is the good shepherd who truly wants the best for us. He gave His life for us. Jesus teaches us what to watch out for; the true shepherd enters through the door, calls His sheep, knows each one by name, and leads them out. “After taking all that are His own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow because they recognize His voice. They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers’ voices are unfamiliar to them.” (John 10:4-5)

The instructions God gave the prophet were, “You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came (1 Kings 13:9).” When Jeroboam, the King realized that the message was from God, he offered to reward the prophet with food and drinks. The prophet remembered God’s words and refused any reward.

The prophet was careful to obey the Lord’s command until he encountered another older “man of God.” There was an old prophet living in the city of Bethel, and he invited the young prophet to his home to eat and drink. The man responded the same as he had to the King. The old prophet replied, “I am a prophet too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the Lord: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.'”

It appeared natural for the prophet to follow the Lord’s commandment when the King—whom he knew to be defiant to the Lord— was making the request. Yet, when chased down, approached, and deceived by one who was also a prophet—the man of God listened to the old prophet and disobeyed the Lord’s command. Regrettably, the older prophet had lied, costing the man his life.  

God speaks to us for many reasons—sometimes, He entrusts us with a message for the people. God is sovereign and omniscient—He knows what He is doing. We all have an invitation and a need to hear the voice of God. God wants to provide us with precise instructions. We must listen to what He speaks, trust what He says, and act on what He asks. At times, God gives direction to follow a path no one else understands; love and respect for people can change the course—if we are not careful. A commitment to the command that God has given us the only reliable way.

It isn’t up to me to make sense of the instructions or justify the order. I am to engage, be prepared, and trust the outcome is in God’s mighty right hand. We don’t always understand God’s ways but we can always trust Him. When we hear the voice of God, we need to listen, follow, and obey. There is a high price for doing anything contrary to what we hear Him say. If He wants to change the plan, He will tell us himself.  

©Ana Gill