Was that you God?
I think one of the most important spiritual disciplines is learning to discern God’s voice from all others. It’s not always easy, but it’s always important. As I’ve said before, it’s important to remember that when God speaks, it’s not a suggestion.
My favorite quote on the subject is by Frederic William Faber. But before I give you the quote, you need to know that Frederic Faber was born in 1814 and died forty-nine years later of kidney disease. He had been an Anglican priest who then converted to Catholicism. He wrote poetry and hymns, his most famous hymn being “Faith of our Fathers.” Faber suffered a lot in his short life from Bright’s Disease, especially toward the end. That fact alone gives a sweet perspective to his words about God’s voice.
Faber said, “There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us well nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.”
I often wonder what Faber would say about the “noise, hurry, and distractions” we have today.
When God whispers . . .
God speaks to his kids every day. I’ve often had widows tell me that they still talk to their husbands every day, even though they know he is in heaven. They usually tell me that cautiously, hoping I won’t think that is odd. I always tell them I think it is wonderful!
When you love someone, you want to talk to them. When someone has been a huge part of your life for many years, it’s normal to want to tell them about your thoughts and the important things that happen. That love relationship doesn’t change just because they aren’t present.
Mom and I talk about my dad quite often. Sometimes, I can “hear” what he would say in a certain situation, and it makes me smile. I listened to his advice, thoughts, and reactions for a lot of years, and I still do! I’m sure the same will be true of my mom one day.
God is my parent, too. I love him and often know what his word would say in a certain situation. The Holy Spirit is our constant reminder of his words, will, and compassionate counsel. God does whisper, “well nigh incessantly.”
Do you notice God’s voice in your daily life? When was the last time God gave you direction, knowledge, or understanding? When was the last time God said, “I need you to do something for me.”
When God whispers, is the noise of other’s advice too loud? Are the demands of a calendar, a job, family matters, or an illness creating too much distraction in your day?
When God whispers, there is no other voice that matters more. God whispers because that’s the voice that causes people to stop talking and grow quiet so that they are able to hear. I used to teach second grade, and if I wanted my class to grow still, I would lower my voice. My sons knew that I meant whatever I was saying when my voice grew quiet.
When God whispers, listening is the only option.
Some favorite verses to consider:
- “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).
- “Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him’” (John 12:28–29).
- Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jeremiah 6:16).
The Faith of our Fathers
The beloved hymn of Frederick Faber is titled, “Faith of our Fathers.” I’m finishing a book right now that calls us to consider the “ancient paths” as our path for today. The ancient paths are full of wisdom, experience, and unchanging knowledge.
The hymn “Faith of our Fathers” ends with ancient wisdom for God’s people today. Faber encouraged God’s people to live with God’s high standards more than two hundred years ago. His words are still as important to God’s people today.
The lyrics say:
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
When I read those lyrics I thought, “Is that you God?” I knew his quiet whisper said “Yes.”
You can know God’s voice.
God speaks all the time. He loves us and wants us to know his thoughts. One of the best ways to discern God’s voice is to know God’s word. Scripture is the voice of God, speaking to us today.
If God preserved those words for us, they are holy truth. If you know God said something in a certain situation in the Bible, you can know what he would say in the same situation today. Anytime a passage says, “And God said . . .” you can know that as you read those words, you are listening to his voice. Allow those words to have the greatest impact on your thoughts.
God does speak “well nigh incessantly.” How often are you in a conversation with your Father in heaven as you read his word? Say a prayer? Walk through your day?
God wants you to know his direction even more than you want to have it. He is ready to speak. Are you listening, ready to obediently respond to his voice?
