Do You Still Want To Hear God's Voice?

Do You Still Want To Hear God’s Voice?
By Rev. Robert P. Elkins
All Scripture verse taken from the NIV Bible unless otherwise noted
Are you sure you want to hear the voice of God? How many have ever said; ”God talk to me, I want to hear your voice!” How many of us have cried out to God with those very words in a time of pain or anguish, in a time of doubt or question. How many of us have cried this out when we were sure God was calling us to a ministry opportunity but we weren’t really sure if we had heard His voice or if it was simply “we” listening to ourselves and hoping it was from God. How many have said those very words when we were at a crossroads in life, maybe contemplating if we should make a purchase, unsure about the selection of a spouse, or seeking a new job. How many have spoken or thought those words when we were faced with a turning point in our life, one of those things that we were sure would alter the direction of our life from that point on. When we were faced with something that could change the course of our personal history, we were just sure it was a call from God but we just wanted a little further conformation before stepping out in faith.
“Lord I’d like to hear an audible voice, that would be nice. An e-mail or letter signed “GOD”. That would do it. A phone call on a phone that’s not plugged in or a lighting bolt on a cloudless day that hits close… but not to close, just close enough to cook the hot dog in my hand but not touch me. .” “Let me go to bed with a head full of questions and wake in the morning with the answers scrolled across the ceiling, in gold, in big bold letters, in the vernacular of the King James Bible, then without question I’d know it was from you.” “Lord I want to hear your voice. Talk to me.”
If you’re one of the people who have asked this question you can rest assured that you’re not alone. Countless others before you, millions and millions have asked the same thing. They asked this question long before you ever had the thought, while you were having the thought and long after the thought has left you. God has heard this question rise up from this little place we call home countless times. This little point in the vast heavens has been the launching point for that very same question and even as I write this or you are reading it someone is asking God the same thing at this very instant. I have no doubt that it’s a question going heaven bound right now, maybe even from someone seeing this right now.
But now I have to ask you. Are you sure you want to hear the voice of God? The voice of the All Mighty, All Powerful, All Knowing God of all Creation? Are you sure you really want him to talk to you?
Before you answer my question lets talk about a few of those who did hear God’s voice and how it impacted their lives. Hosea is a good person to start with. He called out to God, he cried out to his Lord and said Lord use me; I want to hear your voice. And God answered him. He didn’t just answer, he made Hosea a prophet, and he put him in ministry. One of the greatest callings you can have, to be called to be a servant of the Living Lord. And what did God say to this servant? “Bless you my son, go now and have a perfect life, go and have all your dreams fulfilled beyond your wildest imagination. Go and have no more trouble for all your life”. I don’t think so! But what God did say was “go out and marry a prostitute!” “Surly no Lord, not I, you’re only joking right? This is just a test right Lord? I’m a prophet, I’m a preacher, you remember me, I’m the man of God, I’m the one who is following you and doing your bidding. You are kidding aren’t you Lord?” But God wasn’t kidding and he did want Hosea to marry a prostitute and even though it went against all that Hoses believed in and his faith but that’s exactly what Hosea did. Hosea married a woman that was just the opposite of what Hosea had dreamed of. The King James translation says that she was a wife of whoredoms. (Hosea 1:2) “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.” The NIV translation says she was an adulterous wife; “ When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD." Whether we use the term prostitute, whoredom or adulterous wife, she was a woman of questionable character.
Hosea went out and married Gomer, by today’s standards just the name should make you wonder about her, I don’t think I’ve ever met a lady named Gomer, but what’s in a name? Actually when it comes to names and the Bible, names are very important, which we shall see. On with the saga of Hosea and Gomer! Then they had a son and God said name him “Jezreel because I’m going to punish the house of Jehu.” Jezreel, A nice charming name for your first born child, it just makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Jezreel means, “Whom God soweth” in this instance God is going to sow punishment upon the house of Jehu.
Then they had a daughter and God said, “name her Lo-Ruhamah” which means, “Not loved”. Just what your daughter would want to be known as for her entire life. Not exactly what we would call a sweet term of endearment is it? According to the Bible, after Lo-Ruhamah was old enough to be on solid food a third child was born and this one God said to name Lo-Ammi, which means “Not my people”
Talk about your dysfunctional family. This group puts most families I’ve heard of to shame. This man of God, this prophet of God has a wife named Gomer, the prostitute, a son who’s name means someone is going to be punished by God, a daughter who’s name means she’s not loved. And another son who’s name means you are not my people. How would you like to invite this group to your next picnic? You want someone who knows how to get a good conversation going at the Christmas party? Hosea and his little group are just the ones you’d want to have around you. “My name is Hosea, this is my wife and children, they have some interesting names, let me tell you about them.” An interesting man and an interesting family, yes, but Hosea did what God told him to do even though it broke his heart. He heard God’s voice, followed God’s command, but it cost him … there was a price to be paid.
Jeremiah is another classic example of someone that heard God’s voice. Jeremiah also wanted to hear God’s voice and God did indeed speak to him. As a matter of fact God spoke to Jeremiah on a regular basis. God spoke to Jeremiah often giving him messages to deliver directly from God to the people of Israel. Is this what you’d like? Do you want to be God’s middleman and stand in the gap between God and the people? That’s what Jeremiah did and how did it go for him?
Jeremiah being the good prophet he was did exactly what God told to do and said exactly what God wanted him to say and of course the people loved him for his honesty and put him up in a palace where he had servants and a personal camel driver and hot and cold running water to his baptismal. The people said since you’re a servant of God we’ll take care of you for the rest of your life and you’ll never want for anything. That is what happened to Jeremiah isn’t it? I don’t think so!
What really happened was that the people hated him, they cursed him, they tossed him in jail for a while. Put him in chains for a while, tossed him down a few cisterns, allowed him to sit there in the darkness and the wetness. He was humiliated in public, placed in stocks in the marketplace, the Super Mall of the day. He was beaten senseless a few times and the people never did believe what he said or that it was from God to begin with. If you’ve never read the account of Jeremiah you owe it to yourself to do so, it’s a fascinating story filled with drama. Jeremiah heard God’s voice, he answered the call on his life and he did so at a cost. There was a price to be paid.
So maybe now you’re starting to wonder, do I really want to hear God’s voice? Lets press on a little further before you make a decision.
Isaiah was another that wanted to hear God’s voice. Isaiah was a prophet and a preacher. Isaiah had a vision; his lips were touched by a burning hot coal and when the Lord asked who would go and carry God’s message to the people Isaiah cried out that he was the one to go. “Send Me!” Reading from (Isaiah 6:5-8.) "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Once Isaiah heard that call, once he told God to send him what did God say to him? “Well done my good and faithful servant, go and live in peace, Coke and pizza from now on with no dirty dishes ever. A different camel to drive every day of your life and you’ll never have a camel payment or any late charges.” I don’t think so!
What God did say was; ”Okay servant, take your clothes off and walk around the city naked as a jay-bird for a while, at least until I tell you to get dressed.” And what do you think Isaiah said in response to this strange command? “ But God it’s cold, have you checked the acue-weather report lately? Everyone is going to laugh at me, or worse yet they may stone me.” And can you imagine what the neighbors said when they asked our friend why he was walking around in his birthday suit and nothing else. When asked he answers them with “Oh a little voice told me to do it!” Or “I’ve heard the voice of God and he told me to do it.” So Isaiah, the original streakier, walked around the streets of Jerusalem naked as commanded, and do you know how long God allowed this? Three years! Never saw this in the Bible, look at the wording of (Isaiah 20:1-4.) “ In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it- at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, "Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot. Then the LORD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt's shame.” Look at the interest payments he saved on those charge cards by not buying any clothes for three years. I doubt Isaiah was thrilled about his situation but he loved his Lord and he did what he was instructed to do regardless of the outcome. Isaiah wanted to hear the voice of God, and he did but it cost him. There was a price to be paid.
Fast forward to the New Testament, and the Apostle Paul. Paul heard God voice and what was his reward? (2nd Corinthians 11:21-29). “To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.”
How would you like to have that on your job resume? Although Paul wrote most of the New Testament he isn’t the only person that followed Jesus and paid a heavy price for that devotion. Look at what happened to the twelve apostles and Mark and Luke as well.
Peter Crucified at Rome under Nero. Crucified up side down at his request because he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified like Jesus.
Andrew Crucified at Patræ, Achaia [southern Greece].Hung alive on the cross two days, exhorting spectators all the while.
James Killed 10 years after the first martyr, Stephen. His accuser was converted by James courage and the two were beheaded together.
John The only apostle who did not meet a martyrs death. Banished by Roman Emperor Domitian to Isle of Patmos where he received The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the last book in the Bible.
Phillip Crucified about 54ADPreached the Gospel in Phrygia which was in the Roman Province of Asia near Ephesus [Turkey].
Bartholomew [Nathaniel] Crucified by the idolaters of India. Preached the Gospel in Mesopotamia [Iraq], Persia [Iran] and India.
Thomas [Didymus] Thrust through with spear in India. Preached the Gospel in Parthia [Iran] and in Kerala, [southern India] where yet today the Mar Thoma Church exists.
Matthew Killed with a sword about 60AD.Preached the Gospel in Ethiopia.
James [son of Alphaeus] Stoned by Jews at his age 90, and ended up with his brains bashed out with a fuller’s club [used in dyeing clothes].
Jude [Thaddeus] Crucified 72AD at city of Edessa [Turkey].
Simon [The Canaanite] Crucified in Britain in 74AD.Also preached in Africa.
Judas Iscariot Suicide “And Judas cast down the 30 pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went out and hanged himself”. Matthew 27:5
In addition to the original 12 apostles: Mark was dragged to death, Luke was hung on an olive tree. All of these people died serving Jesus Christ, all of these people died serving their God. The all heard the voice of God and they all answered that call.
But you know my friend despite all that you’ve seen today, despite the beatings, the hardships, and the humiliation endured by these saints of days gone by. Despite all of these things there is no record of any of these people ever saying that it wasn’t worth it. No place do they say, “Enough is enough, that’s it I’m finished, it wasn’t worth it”. I think the thoughts of Paul as recorded in the 12th chapter of 2nd Corinthians sums up the mind set of these mighty people of God the best. Look at what Paul has to say, “9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul knew where his strength came from; the others knew where their strength came from. They knew that it didn’t originate within themselves, they knew that it didn’t come from the law or the temple. They knew that it came from God and that my friend hasn’t changed to this very day. When the Lord said to Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." He did so with the intent for those precious words to hold the same power for us today as they did so many years ago when first they were spoken.
Friend, these people we’ve just looked at didn’t loose faith, they didn’t turn away, all of them hung in there in the face of danger and pain. They hung in there in spite of public opinion, each and every one of them were faithful to the end. Why? Because they knew the promises of God! They all knew that regardless of what happens here on this earth in this life we now have there is something on the horizon that is far better than anything we can ever experience here on this place we now call home. They may not have seen the promise as found in (Revelation 21:1-4). “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." All of these people didn’t have the opportunity to read those words because they hadn’t been given to the Apostle John while in prison on the island of Patmos until after most had either passed away or had left the area. They didn’t have the Holy Scriptures. They didn’t have the Bible as we do today so they didn’t physically see this promise. But they knew of it, there were other recorded writings that conveyed the message and there were the prophetic words that many of them heard with their own ears as God issued them.
But all praise be given to God in the most high, today we have the recorded words of God. We have the Bible and we can look at those words of promise and know with full assurance that if it’s in the Bible it is going to happen just as God has promised. Although it was men that recorded the words, the words didn’t originate in the mind of men, the words originated from the mind of the Holy Spirit. (2nd Peter 1:20-21) “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
And so in closing I want you to know that although there is a battle going on out there and each of us has been called to do our part and fight the good fight for the Lord. The Scriptures are there to assist us in our times of need when we start to feel as if it’s just not worth it when if fact it is. Search them out, pray them over yourself and call upon God to refresh and restore you in those times of low spirit. Wonderful verses like (Romans 15:4-6) “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. And from (2nd Timothy 4:18) “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen”. And it is my prayer that each of us will be able to say the same words Paul used when he was talking to his friend and student Timothy. (2nd Timothy 4:7-8) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”. And so I ask you one last time, do you still want to hear God’s voice? I hope the answer is yes and regardless of what the distance between us my be, whether a mile or a nation, we can stand together and say, “I’m a soldier in the army of Jesus Christ. My final thought {actually it isn’t my thought it was someone else’s but I don’t know who} comes from an article I saw once in a United Methodist Men’s magazine. Read this over and tell me, are you in it with me and do you still want to hear God’s voice?
SIGN UP!
A Few Good Men Are Needed in God’s Army
I am a soldier in the army of the Lord. Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer, and God’s Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in the army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable if my God needs me, I am ready, willing and able. If He needs me in Sunday school, to teach children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn I am available. He can use me, because I am there.
I am a soldier, I am not a baby, I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier; I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom. No on has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to.
I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing I will still come out ahead. We will win. My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Demons cannot defeat me, people cannot disillusion me, weather cannot weary me, sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat. Money cannot buy me, governments cannot silence me.
I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this earthly battlefield, He will bring me back to this world with Him.
I am a soldier in the army and I’m marching, claiming victory. I will not give up, I will not turn around, I am a soldier marching heaven bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me?
Guess what? If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior you’re already enlisted. The ultimate question remains, are you on duty or are you AWOL?
What is you current military status?
Active duty: serving the Lord faithfully, daily and on duty at all times?
Reserve Status: serving when called upon or twice a year, Christmas or Easter?
Guard Status: backing up the active duty group?
AWOL: absent without the Lord?
Think about it!
Grace & peace