Hearing God


Listening is a difficult art that we find difficult to build even in the physical world of usual interactions. The challenge is particularly enormous for us to develop with God, who is invisible. He is our Father and is interested in engaging us in discussions. Life is meant to be lived with revelations from divinity and not by learning from experiences! We have learnt from earlier studies that God’s words are powerful and that they possess authority to accomplish those things they emphasise. Since God does His work through men (Eph 2:10), someone needs to hear from Him to ensure the performance of the words (Jer 1: 11-13).
Texts: Ps 32:8, 9
1                     God’s methods of communication
a.        Verbal-creation/Adam/Moses/Paul-Gen 1:3; 3:8
b.       Written-His word-2Tim 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:21/ Hand writing to Belshazzar
c.        Visual-visions-Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah-Ezekiel 37:1-3; Dan 10:5-7; Jer 1:11-13; Acts 10:10-15
d.       Impressions/ intuitions/ still small voice-Elijah-IKings 19:12
e.       Animals-Balaam and the donkey –Num 22:27-31
f.         Experiences –the children of Israel (Judges…) Judges 6:1-8
g.        Angels /persons/prophets/pastors/preachers-Abraham and the 3 visitors, Gabriel to Zacharias, Mary, Manoah...Luke 1:13;Luke 1:30,31; Judges 13: 11
h.       Signs-rainbow… to Noah, last days…Gen 9:3; Matt 24:3; 2Tim 3:1-5
i.         His vessels-Heb 1:1-2
2                     How people hear/heard God
a.        physical fellowship-Adam/Moses-rare privilege of few
b.       worship-Elisha-2King 3:15-17
c.        visions-Daniel/Peter
d.       dreams-Joseph/Pharaoh/Butler /Nebuchadnezzar
e.       reading His word-Jesus/John the Baptist-John 1:23 vs Isaiah 40:3; Heb 10:7 vs Ps 40:7
f.         still small voice-Elijah; “seemer”
g.        experiences
h.       Share your experiences of hearing God....
3                     Preparations needful for us to hear Him
a.        Training/gain spiritual insight-Eli had to teach boy Samuel
b.       Reverence –keep silent and expect- 1 Samuel 3:8-10; Hab 2:20
c.        Listen-meditate-Joshua 1:8
d.       Be ready to do/speak/obey-Isa 1:19
e.       Fasting/prayer-sharpens one’s spiritual antenna-Acts 13:2
f.         Holy living/ righteousness-Joseph-Gen 37:2;39:8
g.        Baptism in the Holy spirit-Acts 2:37-40
h.       Desire specific gifts of the Holy spirit-I Cor 14:1
i.         Read God’s words with an intention/expectation-James 1: 25
j.         Paint a picture of expectation/ envision –Jacob –Gen 30:37; Gen 15:1-5
We pray that the Lord opens our eyes of understanding so that we advance in fellowship with Him. The scripture asserted that we do not need teachers in the last days as the anointing shall teach us all things. We must take up the challenge of hearing God from today.

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