I Love the Sound of Your Voice, Lord!

Learning to recognize the peace, joy, and transforming power of God’s voice

This morning, I placed a business card on my desk. It belonged to a physician who specializes in infectious diseases. We have talked on several occasions, and I appreciate how he always seems willing to make time for a conversation.

During one of our visits, he asked me a question: “Has God ever spoken to you?”

It is a question I have been asked many times through the years.

I told him, “Yes, He has. I have never heard an audible voice, if that is what you are asking. But I have heard Him clearly when the words of the Bible seemed to jump off the page like the letters on the side of a boxcar.

“I have heard Him in prayer as I faced decisions that would affect the lives of others. He has comforted me. He has corrected me. At times, I have sensed Him saying, ‘Lighten up!’

“Sometimes He has spoken to my heart through a song or a sermon. Other times, a friend has said something that was a clear answer to a private prayer, something no one else knew about except God.”

This morning, during my quiet time, I found myself thinking about his question again. As I meditated on the words of Jesus, my thoughts became a prayer about recognizing and listening to the voice of God.

Henri Nouwen once wrote, “God speaks to us not only once in a while but always.” (Leadership, Vol. 2, No. 3)

Does God speak to His people? How do we recognize His voice? What does His voice sound like?

For me, the following words of Jesus offer a beautiful answer. His is the voice of peace.

Jesus said,

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT)

How you say something can be just as important as what you say.

I appreciate my NASB Greek Tense New Testament because it helps me pay closer attention to the words of Jesus. Sometimes, as I read, I try to imagine something the written text cannot fully convey: the expression on His face and the tone of His voice.

I wonder how He sounded when He said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.”

I believe His voice conveyed the very peace and love He was promising them.

Remember, Jesus spoke these words knowing what lay ahead. Betrayal, suffering, the cross, and the scattering of His disciples were approaching. Yet He spoke to them of peace.

Jesus never promised that following Him would exempt us from trouble. He told us plainly that in this world we would have trouble. But He also assured us that He has overcome the world.

Therefore, I do not have to surrender to fear or allow my heart to be overwhelmed. Jesus does not call me to live anxiously. He calls me to trust Him.

If trials come, God is with me. If battles come, He will sustain me. And even if death comes, whether through persecution, cancer, or some other cause, I know that I will be welcomed into His presence.

Oh Father, how I need to listen to You daily!

I am grateful for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide us into truth, remind us of His words, and remain with us as our Helper and Comforter.

The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete, the One called alongside us. What a wonderful assurance that we are never left to walk through life alone!

I love the sound of Your voice, Lord. Let me hear Your song in my soul.

Listen to this wonderful promise:

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)

Stop and think about that for a moment.

Imagine God singing over you!

What does His voice sound like? Can you imagine the sound of such joy?

The little boy who still lives inside of me is jumping up and down right now at the thought of God singing with delight!

Sometimes I think we are so careful to approach God with reverence that we forget how much joy there is in His presence.

Of course, we should approach Him with reverence. He is holy, glorious, and worthy of our worship. But reverence and joy are not enemies.

The more I understand His greatness, His goodness, and His love, the greater my joy becomes.

The God who rules the universe is not indifferent toward His people. He delights in them!

N. D. Wilson, writing about the joy reflected in God’s creation, describes a dolphin leaping through the sunlight, a falcon diving through the sky, and a happy dog riding in the back of a truck with its tongue flying like a flag. (God the Merrymaker, Christianity Today, April 2014, p. 32)

What wonderful pictures of exuberant joy! Creation itself seems to celebrate the goodness of its Maker.

And if the Lord rejoices over His people with singing, surely those who belong to Him have every reason to rejoice in His presence.

I don’t want to live as though joy is somehow less spiritual than solemnity.

I want to worship God with reverence and delight. I want His joy to fill my heart, shape my attitude, and overflow into the lives of others.

But the voice that comforts and delights me is also the voice that calls me to change.

Learning to listen for His Voice.

Listening to God involves more than enjoying the comfort of His promises. His voice also calls us to live differently.

The voice of the Lord will not lead me into bitterness during a divisive political season. His voice does not call me to surrender to panic during a crisis or to hate, hoard, or live in fear.

The voice of Jesus calls me to forgive, serve, love, bring healing, and speak the truth. He calls me to pursue unity without compromising biblical truth and to love people with whom I disagree.

Sometimes His voice confronts attitudes in my own heart that I would rather overlook.

That is part of listening, too.

Whatever I believe God is saying to me must be consistent with His Word and the character of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said,

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, NLT)

Notice the connection between listening and following.

Listening means following.

I want His Word to shape my thinking, His Spirit to guide my steps, and His character to be reflected in my life.

And I want to do it with joy!

My Prayer

Jesus, I long for Your peace that surpasses understanding.

When I pray for peace in my heart, marriage, home, church, and community, I am also inviting You to confront whatever threatens that peace within me—fear, selfishness, prejudice, hypocrisy, or spiritual laziness.

Search my heart, Lord. Correct my attitudes, challenge my assumptions, and teach me to respond as You would.

I believe one evidence that I am truly listening to Your voice will be the fruit of the Spirit growing in my life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Help me to be kind without avoiding necessary confrontation. Help me to exercise self-control without becoming inflexible.

Help me to speak the truth without becoming harsh, to stand firm in my convictions without becoming unloving, and to pursue peace without compromising what is right.

Teach me to approach You with holy reverence and childlike delight.

Let me celebrate the beauty of Your creation, the wonder of Your grace, and the privilege of belonging to You.

And like that dolphin leaping through the sunlight, let Your joy overflow in my life.

Above all, help me to recognize Your voice and obey You.

I love the sound of Your voice, Lord. Let me hear Your song in my soul.

Amen! Amen! Amen!

Peace!