More on When God Speaks

This morning God led me to read through some of my journal writings (of my journey with Him) from the past three years. In September of 2005 he admonished and encouraged me not to be afraid to hear and accept His voice speaking in my ear by bringing before me an old magazine article. This is what I wrote about it:

“I came across an article in a Discipleship Journal magazine from 2003. God waited two years from when that magazine actually arrived in my home to place it again into my hands that I may read that particular article at just the perfect time. It was a one page article made up of an excerpt from one of Phillips Brooks’ sermons. Brooks was an American bishop of the Episcopal church and lived in the mid 1800’s. The title of the article was “Are We Afraid to Let God Speak?” The mainline says, “God challenges our superficial lives”. In the sermon, Brooks is exploring some of the reasons why we are afraid to let God speak. This article spoke much to my heart on this day because I knew I was afraid of what God was revealing. I knew that whatever God whispers to me I must also proclaim, for it says in Matthew 10:26-27, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” And I was also afraid that I was being led astray and continued to doubt God’s voice. Yet I also knew I was being ridiculous with regards to that fear, taking into account how I fervently and faithfully sought God’s face daily and how I prayed and remained in His Word. Below is the part of the article that God used to smack me over the head, convict my heart deeply, and cause me to repent before Him of doubting His voice over and over again.”

“Behind everything stands God. He must speak to you. He will speak to you. Oh, do not try to shut out His voice. Listen to Him that you may live. Be ready for any overturnings—even of the things which have seemed to you most eternal—if by them He can come to be more the King of His own earth. When God speaks to you, you must not make believe to yourself that it is the wind blowing or the torrent falling from the hill. You must know that it is God…You must listen as if listening were your life. And then, then only, can come peace.”

[Phillips Brooks, “Are We Afraid to Let God Speak”.

Discipleship Journal, issue one hundred thirty-seven 2003.

Published by The Navigators/NavPress.]

Phillips Brooks was so right. We must listen when God speaks to us, listening for Him and to Him as if listening is our very life. When we listen to God’s voice and believe He is speaking and what He speaks, there will be peace. It is HIS peace over us.

Still seeking Him and listening for His precious voice…