The Voice of the LORD

Greetings! Praise the LORD! As you can see, the topic on which we’ll be meditating is entitled “The Voice of the LORD”. We cannot talk about “Voice”, without addressing “hearing”. Hearing of course is the ability to perceive sound, and it is one of the five traditional senses. To be fancy, we can call this as auditory perception. Our ability to hear covers a broad auditory spectral range; to put it in physical terms, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Also, we can hear all around us, and even determine the direction of sound purely based on our hearing. In contrast our sense of sight is highly directional. The bible also makes note about our ability to hear from behind in Isaiah 30:21.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

We also tend to classify what we hear as, plain sounds, voices, music, or just noise. So, today, we’ll discuss hearing one very specific voice, that is, the “Voice of the LORD”.

LORD’s voice

The psalmist describes the power and might of the LORD’s voice in Psalm 29, as such,

The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Psalms 29:4

The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. Psalms 29:7

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. Psalms 29:8

We also see in John chapter 5, the permeating nature of the LORD’s voice, that even the dead and ones in the grave will hear it.

Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. John 5:25

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice John 5:28

Thus, the bible shows that the LORD’s perfect voice holds immense power, and is capable of many things. Further, to an individual, the LORD’s voice is unique, he calls us by our name, and this voice can be identified by us, his sheep.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:2,3

While reading this, you might be reminded of some characters from the bible who listened to the voice of the LORD wholly and wholeheartedly. We’ll go through a few of them, and see how the voice called and transformed them for a purpose.

Ones who wholly listened to the Voice

Abraham

We all know the story of Abraham. The voice of the LORD came to “Abram” when he was in Haran. He was asked to leave his country and people behind and go to the place shown by the LORD. Abraham listened, and set out under the LORD’s instructions.

Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Genesis 12:1,2

The purpose of Abraham’s call was to make him into a great nation. To make his name great, and to make him a blessing for everyone on earth. This blessing for all earth, came in the form of Jesus Christ, who was born as a descendant of Abraham. Not only that, during his life on earth, Abraham became close to God, and he was called the friend of God. The LORD inturn, did not hide what he was about to do from Abraham.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. James 2:23

And the Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, Genesis 18:17

Moses

Up next is Moses. Chosen and saved from birth, he was brought up in the Pharaoh’s residence. But he would not associate himself with them, but rather associated himself with his own people, the Israelites. Acted on his own initially, then ran away. But the LORD called him by name and spoke to him, when he was a humble shepherd.

So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Exodus 3:4

The purpose of Moses’ call was to rescue the people of Israel from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of Egypt and into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." Exodus 3:10

Moses obeyed the LORD and accepted his role in the exodus. This naturally led to the people of Israel being freed and claiming Canaan as their own (eventually). Moses personally grew so close to the LORD that they spoke face to face.

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:11

I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Numbers 12:8

Bezalel

Bazelel might be an unfamiliar name. But this person was crucial in regards to everything that was made for the LORD and his tabernacle. He was given the wisdom to craft and design and teach the same to others. For this purpose, the LORD called him by name. Bezalel and every skilled person to whom the LORD gave skill and ability to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary, fulfilled their task.

And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. Exodus 35:30-33

Bezalel’s call, as we can see, is very specific and unique. This also tells us that the calling we get from the LORD could be for something very distinct and precise, or it could be for something standard and general. Thus, the fulfilment of the purpose of the call could be quick or prolonged.

Samuel

Another person whom we might fondly associate with the voice of the LORD is Samuel. Samuel, being begotten through prayer and faith, received the call from the LORD and heard his voice when he was just a lad. The LORD is never a respecter of persons. The voice of the LORD came to Samuel when he was lying down in the tabernacle of the LORD, and through the guidance of Eli, Samuel answered the call.

Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." 1 Samuel 3:10

The purpose of Samuel’s call was to be a spokesperson for the LORD and deliver his message to the concerned. Samuel started this role, by conveying to Eli, the LORD’s judgement against his house.

For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. 1 Samuel 3:13

The LORD never does anything without revealing it to his prophets, and the LORD always chooses as prophets, people who are truthful to him.

Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

Throughout his lifetime, Samuel did his work wholeheartedly. He went from place to place, teaching and judging the people of Israel. The LORD honoured him by being with him and did not let any of his words fall to the ground. All of Israel acknowledged that Samuel was a prophet of the LORD. Further, the LORD anointed the first two kings of Israel, and brought about the transition to monarchy through Samuel.

So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:19-21

Elijah

Elijah being a prophet of the LORD would have heard the voice of the LORD multiple times. But this instance of hearing the LORD’s voice is very special. Let’s back up a little. This was during the reign of the kings, and it was a precarious time to be a devout believer in the LORD. False prophets were at an all time high. Motivated by the LORD, Elijah meets with King Ahab and through him, challenges four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. On Mount Carmel, with “The god who answers by fire - he is God”, as a declaration, Elijah soon proves that the LORD is indeed God.

After this, he informs Ahab of the upcoming heavy rain, and runs ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel by the power of the LORD. However, when Jezebel (Ahab’s wife) threatened him, Elijah ran for his life to Beersheba in Judah. Further he travelled a day’s journey and sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die, and slept. Twice an angel of the LORD woke him up and provided food for him to eat. Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God, and went into a cave and spent the night.

The LORD tells him to get out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by. There is a great and powerful wind, there was an earthquake, there was a fire, but the LORD was not in any of those.

and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" I Kings 19:12,13

A still small voice. A gentle whisper. This is how the LORD revealed himself to Elijah here. To a man who wanted to die, the LORD gave another commission.

Then the Lord said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. I Kings 19:15,16

The purpose of this specific call to Elijah was to encourage him and to take away his fear. Elijah’s prophetic journey had threats, troubles and hardships, but the LORD was there to strengthen him. The LORD revealed himself through a still small voice. But that was enough for Elijah. After fulfilling all his work, Elijah was taken up to heaven. Which is extraordinary.

The Polite Saviour

As a small detour, let me add an incident from the life of a missionary. Richard Wumbrand, who was a missionary in Romania during its time under Russian rule, recounts and writes about a Russian convert. When this young russian who was drafted to serve in Romania, asked to be baptised, Wumbrand asks him to quote a verse which touched him. The Soldier tells him the encounter between Jesus and the disciples on their way to Emmaus.

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. Luke 24:28

Jesus never insisted on anything. And came along with the disciples only after he was invited. This polite nature of Jesus who never insisted anything but just spoke gently was in stark contrast to the forceful doctrines which this person had heard all throughout his life. And it was this very nature of Christ, made him accept Jesus as his personal saviour.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

Jesus never insists and there is no compulsion. It is up to us to listen to his voice and our free will to follow. It is up to us to open the door of our heart.

Isaiah

Isaiah, as we know, is a prophet who prophesied during the rule of multiple kings. His call is very special too. He sees the LORD sitting on his throne. And the heavenly hosts singing "Holy! Holy! Holy!". He realises and announces his sinful nature, and is immediately cleansed. And then he hears the LORD.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." Isaiah 6:8

The purpose of Isaiah's call was to instil the LORD's burden in him. The times were bad, and people wasted away. Among them, there was a need to deliver the word of God. Isaiah fulfilled this role.

Mary

We saw that the voice of the LORD came to many to enable them to fulfil a massive task. But the voice of the LORD also came to individuals to make them understand and comprehend the situation. Such as in the case of Mary, who searched for the risen Christ, but mistook him for a gardener.

Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). John 20:16

However, soon as Jesus called her by name, she recognised Jesus. The sheep knows the voice of its master. Mary, a true disciple of Christ, recognised the voice. The purpose of this call was to encourage her, and to tell others the news of resurrection through her.

Saul/Paul

A notable occurrence of the LORD's calling in the New Testament is with regards to Saul/Paul. The zeal Saul had is incomparable. However, it was misled. To rectify this, the voice is heard to Saul.

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Acts 9:4

It was just a simple statement. But it transformed Saul completely. Once he was told that the voice belonged to Jesus, he immediately asked "what should he do?" And he was guided to his purpose. The purpose of Paul’s call was to make him a vessel who would carry the good news to the gentiles.

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Acts 9:15

Through Paul, countless heard the gospel. The epistles he wrote forms a part of the New Testament. He himself testifies that he has fulfilled his purpose, finished his race and the crown of righteousness is kept for him!

Peter

Another crucial occurance of the voice of the LORD is to Peter. After Jesus was taken up to heaven, the disciples obeyed the great commission and spread the gospel wherever they went. However, they still told the gospel only to the people of Israel scattered throughout the territory. But the gospel must be told to every person on Earth, not just the Israelites. So to clearly explain this, the voice of the LORD came to Peter.

While Peter was praying around noon, he became hungry and he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.

And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." Acts 10:13-15

This happened three times and left Peter wondering about the meaning of the vision. Right then, the men sent by Cornelius found the house he was staying in and asked for Peter. Encouraged by the Spirit, Peter leaves with them. He meets with Cornelius and his household and asks for an explanation from Cornelius.

Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts 10:28

After hearing Cornelius explain, Peter understands the meaning of the vision and begins to talk. Peter understood that the gospel was now to be preached to the Gentiles as well.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:34,35

He tells about Jesus Christ and the great commission. Explaining everything in between.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. Acts 10:44

The purpose of this specific call was to open the gospel to everyone on earth. And Peter was honoured as the one through whom this started.

So far we have seen a number of people who wholly and wholeheartedly listened and obeyed the voice of the LORD. You, who are reading, might also have heard the voice of the LORD calling you, or maybe you are reminded of your prior calling. If you, dear reader, also feel that you have listened to the LORD’s voice and have devoted your hundred percent towards the fulfilment of his will, take a moment to praise the LORD for the strength he provided in this quest. And further pray for the strength to continue in this path.

Us?

We can hear the voice of the LORD through his words. Verses recorded in the bible show time and again how the LORD guided his servants. One of my personal experiences with the voice of the LORD is through this verse.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Everytime, I’m at a crossroad, when I have to make a decision, I’ll be reminded of this verse. Even now, to write this blog, I was encouraged by the same verse. Occasionally, when I think that I don’t have enough strength to do a particular thing, I’m reminded of this verse said to Gideon, in the Book of Judges.

Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" Judges 6:14

We might be struggling to do something. We might have trouble even starting something which the LORD asked of us. But all we have to do is take the first step, with the might we have, and the LORD will enable us to power through further ahead.

Others who only listened on the surface

So far we went through the life of people from the Bible who wholly and wholeheartedly obeyed the voice of the LORD. But we’d be amiss if we didn’t consider the ones who did not have the heart to fully obey.

Adam

Adam, the first human. Very significant and prominent. The LORD took Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. The LORD gave Adam a suitable helper. In return, the LORD wanted to spend time with them and they just had to obey one command. But man failed in that, and sinned.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

The sin of disobedience separated Adam from the LORD. He no longer had the opportunity of walking with the LORD. He was sent away from Eden. What a huge downfall!?

The LORD still wishes to walk among us. We are to be his temple. But our sin hinders this from happening.

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 2 Corinthians 6:16

Anything and everything which separates us from the LORD is sin.

For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephesians 5:5

However, if we repent and renounce all our sins and come back to the LORD, we will get to hear his voice and have the LORD walk among us. In the case of humanity in its early days, this did not happen. They continued to sin more and more and went farther and farther from the LORD, so much so that it broke the heart of the LORD.

And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:6

What about in our life? Would the LORD be lamenting for creating us? Let’s ensure that we never go astray that the LORD would grieve for creating us.

Saul

Another person who fell from grace is King Saul. Again, the sin which caused his fall is disobedience. Saul was anointed as king. His kingdom was secure. And the LORD asked one specific task from him. There was a misstep before this as well, but this turned out to be his worst offence against the LORD.

Samuel also said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:1

Samuel delivers a mission to Saul, he asks him to heed unto the voice of the LORD, and do the work given to him. However, Saul was unwilling to carry out his mission. He had his own motives, and did what seemed to be fit for him. Even after being pointed out, he tried to justify his misstep rather than truly repenting. This led to his rejection.

But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. 1 Samuel 15:9

The LORD wishes us to listen to his voice and follow it. But he also wants us to follow him wholeheartedly. Not with half a heart or with our own motives. But purely with love and with all our heart.

Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37

If we want to truly love the LORD and follow him with all our heart, we cannot have two masters. We cannot have our sinful desires and please God. We cannot have our own selfish ambitions and try to please God. It should always be a wholehearted obedience.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

In the case of Saul, the LORD regretted making him as king. Wouldn’t the LORD feel the same way regarding us if we continue in our own ways and are unwilling to obey the LORD with our whole heart?

"I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. 1 Samuel 15:11

We see in the First letter from Peter, how we are “a chosen generation” and “a royal priesthood”. We are called to be Kings as well. We shouldn’t be a disappointment to the LORD.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

So, how are we currently? Are we unwilling to heed the voice of the LORD for the sake of our comforts? Or are we willing to leave everything, take our cross and follow the LORD? Looking at our present state, how will the LORD feel about calling/choosing us? Will the LORD grieve and be filled with regret? Would the LORD be lamenting for calling us/ choosing us?

Israel

The Israelites led by Moses and Joshua, hardened their hearts and rebelled against the LORD. They grieved him so much that they lost their chance to enter into Canaan and get the rest provided by the LORD.

For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' " Psalms 95:7-11

The reason for this is that they diminished the perfect place the LORD had for them, and kept wishing for the things they had in their old place. A place where they suffered.

We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; Numbers 11:5

This is in contrast with Moses, who while he was still in Egypt, refused to take the honours associated with it, but looked ahead for their future away from Egypt.

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

That generation of Israelites missed their entry into Canaan. But we have ahead of us, “a rest for the people of God”, and to claim it, all we have to do is to not harden our hearts when we hear the voice of the LORD.

Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:6-9

The Israelites had set their heart on the place they had left and not on the place they were heading towards. How are we now? Are we thinking back to our old life? Or have we set our hearts on the eternal life which the LORD has for us?

Conclusion

Let’s conclude with three statements uttered by Jesus.

Do you love me? Feed My sheep.

Simon Peter renounced and denied Jesus. For this he wept bitterly. Later, he went back to fishing. But the resurrected Jesus sought Peter to reinstate him. The dialogue between them is recorded in John 21:15-17

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. John 21:15-17

The question asked by Jesus, “Do you love Me?” is very simple, but very profound. The same question is kept before us. Do we love Jesus? If we do, then we would ensure that we listen to his voice, follow his commandments and fulfil his will. Are we? If so, then good. May the LORD strengthen us to grow even more closer to the LORD. But if not, then we should seriously reconsider.

Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray.

The second question I have mentioned here is uttered by Jesus, when he was with the disciples in a place called Gethsemane, on the night of his betrayal.

Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:37,38

The same question is asked to us. Are we sitting and praying for at least an hour? If we are unable to do even that, how can we expect to understand the burden and the heart cry of the LORD?

I do not know you.

The third statement I keep before you is uttered by Jesus, in the parable of the ten virgins. The parable is well known. There were ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them took oil in jars along with their lamps, the remaining five took only their lamps and did not take any oil. The bridegroom arrived later than expected, and at midnight his arrival was announced. The ones who had oil with them trimmed their lamps, while the others asked for oil. Since sharing the oil might make it insufficient for both the groups, the ones without oil were asked to go and buy. While they were away, the bridegroom arrived and the five who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet and the door was shut.

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Matthew 25:11,12

We previously noted how in Revelation 3:20, Jesus patiently knocks at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to respond. Now, we are living in a period of grace. But, when this period ends, anyone who is not ready to meet with Christ, will be left out. After that, no matter how one cries out, the reply they’d get is “I do not know you”.

Be ready!

We meditated on the “Voice of the LORD”, and saw a few statements uttered by Jesus Christ. When the time is nigh, we will hear a shout from heaven, with the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God. Everyone who is and was true to the LORD, loving the LORD with all their heart, and fulfilled his will, shall be taken up to heaven, and shall always be with the LORD.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17

So, let’s be ready and help others get ready! See you in the next one. Take care of yourself and each other!