His Voice

In our daily lives, discernment matters. Does God still speak to us? Why does it matter that we perceive and respond to His voice? As we are surrounded with clamoring voices on various topics, can we discern His voice? Images created using Nightcafe studio by author, scriptural passages from Berean Standard Bible (available online at biblehub.com/bsb

A.W. Tozer shares insights on God’s Word and how that God speaks to us! Quotes are from his work The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine Psalm 42:1 Chapter 6: His Speaking Voice.

Creation is a reflection of the Creator’s Glory! Consider that all that exists, the wonders of our universe was spoken into existence–for and through Him! Colossians 1:15-16

Creation

Tozer reminds us that God speaks creation into existence. He doesn’t have to continue to speak creation into existence–His “original word” or command is still active!

He comments:

God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years.

The Bible explains this truth:

Colossians 1:15-17

15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

The key term here is preeminence. Got Questions explains:

Summary Explanation

First context, Paul is proclaiming that Jesus is God. He is proclaiming truth to counter false teaching(s) in the early church. He establishes Christ as being God. John and Hebrews Chapters 1 presents the same concept. Christ is above and before all things! And He continues to speak!

He is before all things means Jesus Christ has always existed—He is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Timothy 1:17). He was alive and active before the creation of the world.

Indeed, He is the Creator, our source of life, and first in everything. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior—the only One sufficient to reconcile us sinners to God. “And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen” (Romans 9:5, NLT).

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/He-is-before-all-things.html

The Word’s Impact: New Birth!

Why does John use the Greek term logos in John 1?

By using the term Logos or “Word” in John 1:1, John is amplifying and applying a concept with which his audience was familiar and using that to introduce his readers to the true Logos of God in Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, fully God and yet fully man, who came to reveal God to man and redeem all who believe in Him from their sin.

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Word-God.html

Detailed explanation and purpose of logos:

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-Logos.html

Jesus is the Voice that sets all into motion and sustains all things! It’s His Voice that we are seeking in our spiritual journey.

Tozer explains the power of God’s Word:

“The Word of God affects the hearts of all men as light in the soul. In the hearts of all men the light shines, the Word sounds, and there is no escaping them.”

Scripture’s Testimony John 1:1-5, 9-13

The Beginning
(Genesis 1:1–2; Hebrews 11:1–3)

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Verses 6-8 refer to John the Baptist’s testimony to the Light coming.

9The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

He embraces the Light of His Truth and stands ready to start his journey of faith. Are you walking in faith, seeking His guidance?

His Voice: Our Refuge

There is great peace in His presence!

“To a people caught in the tempest of the last great conflict God says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), and still He says it, as if He means to tell us that our strength and safety lie not in noise but in silence.” pg. 76

Tozer advises us to get alone with God’s Word:

“It is important that we get still to wait on God. And it is best that we get alone, preferably with our Bible outspread before us. Then if we will we may draw near to God and begin to hear Him speak to us in our hearts.”

While waiting, we may experience a special moment:

“First a sound as of a Presence walking in the garden. Then a Voice, more intelligible, but still far from clear. Then the happy moment when the Spirit begins to illuminate the Scriptures, and that which had been only a sound, or at best a voice, now becomes an intelligible word, warm and intimate and clear as the word of a dear friend. Then will come life and light, and best of all, ability to see and rest in and embrace Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and All.” pg 76

Prayer for Hearing God’s Voice adapted from Tozer pg. 78

Lord, guide and instruct me in listening to your voice. My environment is full of noise, temptations, and the enemy’s lies. Give me a spirit similar to Samuel as a boy when he prays “Speak for your servant is listening.” Let me hear you speaking into my heart and get used to your gracious voice–that I may become familiar to your voice as I turn away from the noise and clamor of this present dark age. Help the noise of the darkness to fade away so that I can dwell in the music of your speaking voice and continuously be made anew in you! Amen.