"Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him." Genesis22:10-12
I can remember reading a story of a man driving from Cincinnati, Ohio to Dallas, and It reads, “Texas for me was first time. We had never made this trip before so I took a road map with us. Everything was going as planned until we encountered road construction. In trying to follow the detour signage, I took a wrong turn and we became lost. Fortunately, I had the satellite based OnStar system. I pressed a button and a voice came through the sound system pinpointing my present location and gave me direction through the unknown territory. I found my way back to the highway and eventually to Dallas by listening to a voice and following the same map I started my journey with. There was never anything wrong with the map and at no time did the voice contradict what the map said. However, the map was printed before the road construction began. The directions OnStar gave me were also based upon a map, but specifically took into consideration my present situation”.
Likewise, it is necessary for Believers today, to not only know God's Word, but also be able to hear and discern His voice. We will all encounter situations in life that throw us off course and we find ourselves in places and situations that we never planned on being. God may even lead us to places where we can't find our own way out for the purpose of teaching us to discern and hear His voice. There are some levels of blessing and ministry that we will never be able to enjoy until we are able to hear God's voice. It is our ability to recognize His voice that distinguishes us as belonging to Him. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). It is possible to know God's Word and not His voice. Seminary can teach you His Word, but it can't teach you hear His voice. It is developed through your familiarity and relationship with God. Like a mother who can distinguish her child's cry in the midst of a room of crying children, we must grow to the point in our relationship with God where we can distinguish His voice above all the others.
Abraham clearly heard God's instruction to sacrifice his son Isaac.That is what God told him. When Abraham reached the place where Isaac was to be sacrificed, he heard God's voice again saying, "do nothing to him". This is what God was saying. Same God. Same voice. Different purpose. Being able to hear and discern God's voice, in the midst of the various situations and season in life, will allow us to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. If Abraham had not grown to know and heed God's voice he would have lost the very thing God sent to bless him.
God does not always speak audibly, but He is always speaking. He speaks through our relationships, finances, losses, victories, through doors that are open and those that are closed. God's voice provides us the needed direction for the various situations that arise in life.
Do you know God's voice? If God were to speak to you today would you be able to discern His voice above all others? Are you feeling lost or confused about what to do next or whether you are presently doing what is best? If so, listen closely and God will provide the direction you are seeking.
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