Do You Hear Me? (VOG-Week 3.1)

As we get into week three of our study, “Discerning the Voice of God” written by Priscilla Shirer, we are going to discuss some of the characteristics of ways God may speak to us.

In today’s lesson we are given examples of how persistent God is with us and how much He desires for us to hear Him. Priscilla mentions the fact that after we become believers He doesn’t just leave us alone and move on.  No, that is when all that transformation that we previously spoke about begins.  He doesn’t say, “Okay she’s saved so I can forget about her and move on to the next.”  No, God is patient and persistent with each and everyone of us. He’s going to continue to speak to us however He can because He has a purpose/will for us and He wants us to know it.

In 1 Samuel 3 we see Samuel the prophet as a young boy. He keeps thinking he is hearing Eli calling Him but after several times of coming to Eli, Eli tells him it must be the Lord. Previous to the mentioned verses it says that the word of the Lord was rare then and also says that Samuel did not know the Lord. The Lord appeared to Him in a vision and ends up speaking to Him about Eli’s failure to restrain his sons. So Eli tells Samuel it is the voice of God that he is hearing and eventually the Lord delivers a message to Samuel about Eli. We’re told that after this the Lord was with Samuel as he grew up and he let none of his words fall to the ground. I have to admit that I was a little confused as to why Priscilla used this example but then as I thought about it Samuel, the Prophet, anointed Saul and David, Israel’s first two Kings and called Israel to repentance. The Lord wanted to use Samuel as His prophet so much that he spoke to him 4 times that night and used Eli to tell him it was God and what to speak to Him. Then when God speaks to Samuel it’s about Eli.  What I thought was really neat about this example is that in verse 3 it says that Samuel was lying in the temple next to the “ark” of God. Something about that is intriguing to me, if not just the fact that Samuel was sleeping next to the Ark of God which represented God’s Throne and beneath it was contained the Mosaic Law.  If you have any other ideas on this please tell us.  The second example from John 4 is much more explanatory as to how Jesus continued to speak to the woman at the well until finally she knew it was Him speaking directly to her because He knew too much about her.

I think the most important thing to take from this capsule is that He will pursue us in a number of ways. He may choose to speak through His Word, through circumstances, and sometimes through other people such as our Pastor in a sermon. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help show you these things. Just like Samuel, God wants to use each and everyone of us for His purpose and glory.

Today’s Prayer

Father God, we know you will not use us in this day and time to anoint Kings but you can and will use us in our homes, in our church, on our jobs and even in our communities if we continue to seek and acknowledge you in all our ways.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Quotes by Priscilla Shirer

“The Holy Spirit works in our hearts, in the hearts of others, and in the events of our lives to point us in His direction.”

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

Once God has spoken;Twice I have heard this:That power belongs to God.  Psalm 62:11

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Rev 3:20

Let’s Talk About It

Is there one particular way God tends to speak to you, or have you experienced various ways?

Discerning His Voice,

Charmaine