A Woman’s Guide – Hearing God’s Voice

Hearing God’s Voice 101

If you want to hear His voice . . . read His Word.

God most often does not communicate with us audibly—He most often communicates through His Word. In between “In the beginning . . .” in Genesis and “Amen” in Revelation, God lets us know who He is, how He interacts with mankind, and more than anything else how much He loves us. As you read His Word, approach it with this prayer on your lips: “Lord, I need to hear a word from you today. Please, speak to me through your Word; help me to hear and to understand what you are saying to me.”

When you make a habit of reading God’s Word on a daily basis, and you pray that prayer, words you read will jump off the pages of the book and into your heart.

Have you ever had a time when you “heard” the voice of God while reading the Bible?

Hearing God’s Voice 101

If you want to hear His voice . . . obey.

You must be willing to obey God’s instructions (as presented in His Word) in order to hear His voice. Many people suffer the silence of God because they refuse to respond to the prompting of His Spirit. Many times God tells us something that He wants us to do. Then He waits to see if we will obey Him. And if we do, He tells us something else. When we choose to obey His voice, we know He’s there and He walks with us through the confusing stuff life throws our way. But if we don’t obey Him, He remains silent.

Can you think of a time when your obedience (or lack of) affected your ability to hear the voice of God?

Hearing God’s Voice 101

If you want to hear His voice . . . be in community.

God communicates with us through other believers. When Jesus came to walk on earth, He chose twelve men to be His disciples. Those men walked and talked and lived with Jesus for three years. Through that experience, eleven of them started a movement that continues to impact the world today. Ever since, God has chosen men and women to speak His Word. Our pastors do this every Sunday when they stand on their pulpits and discuss God’s Word. We do this with one another when we share a verse or a word of encouragement with a friend.

When was the last time you “heard” God’s voice from another person?

Hearing God’s Voice 101

If you want to hear His voice . . . approach Him in the darkness.

“Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”—Exodus 20:21

Sometimes the circumstances of life create a thick darkness. Because we tend to be afraid of what we cannot see, our natural response to darkness is to flee. But because God was in the darkness, and Moses wanted to hear His voice, he boldly approached the darkness.

Sometimes God invites us, like He invited Moses, into the “thick darkness” and communicates with us there. My hope is that you will become like Moses and eagerly approach the thick darkness, knowing that God is there.

Are you facing darkness? Are you willing to walk into it, believing God will meet you there?

Get more insight from Leighann McCoy in her new book, A Woman’s Guide to Hearing God’s Voice.