The Sound of His Voice

Listen to me; hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom. Job 33:33 NKJV

These words were spoken by Elihu. He was a young man who listened in on the conversation between Job and his friends. Out of respect, he waited until they were completely finished before he voiced his opinion. Often times, there will be people in our life who seem to have the answers we are looking for. Several are coming to mind that I would take up on their offer of wisdom. They have a good track record with me. In the past, if they gave me advice I reaped the benefits when I heeded what they said. They are among the first ones I would call if I were seeking godly counsel. Some have been in my life for decades and some have only recently crossed my path. I thank God for them and treasure the gift they are to me.

But more and more the One who speaks Elihu’s words to me is God Himself. He daily invites me to listen to Him. This listening is more than just taking in the sound of His voice. It is active listening with the intent of obeying. When I do that He has much to teach me in the way of wisdom. It is not just a matter of knowledge but rather the application of knowledge. His desire is to teach me what to do with the knowledge He gives. I want the kind of relationship with Him whereby He is teaching me personally. While He will still use people and books in my life, I want the experience of receiving wisdom, answers, and guidance directly from Him.

I have lived too much of my life depending on “middle men” to get me through a minefield of questions. For most of my Christian life I trusted people to tell me what God was saying. It was always easier and felt safer to sit under their canopy of wisdom. I hung on their every word and for the most part they were godly words. But as long as they were the only ones I was going to for wisdom, I was missing out on learning to converse with God. His desire has always been for me to meet with Him directly.

If God chooses to speak to me through people I will accept that. But I have had enough conversations with Him to know the joy of hearing His wisdom spoken from His Word or in prayer. Many have been the times when taking a walk and pouring out my heart and my questions to Him have resulted in answers that left me in amazement and tears. Will I ever still seek the advice of people? Absolutely! But nothing compares to the sound of His voice in my ears.

Father, however You choose to speak to me today, I am listening. Amen.