“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28

Voices

I like to think about God’s voice. It gives me such comfort to remember that He is continually speaking to us mere mortals—through His written Word, through teaching, through circumstances, and through little inner “knowings.” I’ve been around long enough, though, to know that every little thing that pops into my head isn’t necessarily from God. He says in His Word to test the spirits. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

It’s interesting that our unchanging God has a voice that is ever-changing! Oh, He’s definitely awesome enough to carry that off without a hitch. In Ezekiel 43:2 it says, “And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.” I don’t know about you, but when I stand next to a roaring waterfall (many waters), it’s awe-inspiring and deafening. Gets your attention in a hurry.

And then, in 1 Kings 19:11-12, we see Elijah with this realization: “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” God’s voice in this Scripture was gentle and sweet, and Elijah had to lean in to hear it.

When Jesus walked the earth, His voice was ever-changing, too—sometimes LOUD, and other times tender and soft. I love the old Bible story movies where it shows Jesus overturning the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. He’s ferociously cracking a whip and saying, “It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:13). I sincerely doubt that was said in a whisper! I can hear Jesus’ voice roaring like a mighty waterfall in spring thaw!

But when Jesus spoke to children? “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His hands on them (lovingly in prayer) and departed” (Matthew 19:14-15). If Jesus had used a roaring voice in this situation, those kids would have skedaddled.

All this to say, while God Himself is unchanging, I think the Lord adjusts His voice to each and every situation in our lives. Not all of us will hear a quiet whisper and at times it may take something a little louder to get our attention. Personally, I’d prefer the quiet side of God; if He has to get loud with me, well, I know I’ve way over stepped my bounds. I’m so thankful for His creative, tender mercy toward His kids.

Dear Jesus, I’m grateful for Your voice in our lives. You haven’t left us orphans here on this planet. You guide and direct us in the manner You know each of us will hear. You know us, and for this we are grateful. Amen.