Turn off the noise and tune in to His voice.
Many believers don’t know how to hear God, or perhaps they hear God more than they think but don’t recognize His voice. Sometimes we have to slow down enough to realize what we are hearing. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Being still and quieting our hearts may be a challenge. Yet, if we ask Him, God can help us and teach us how to be still and receive His peace and direction.
Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 KJV
What gets in the way of hearing God?
God talks to us more than we give Him credit for, yet sometimes we are so busy trying to accomplish something or maybe so distracted that we don’t hear Him clearly. Sometimes we do things that we weren’t ever supposed to do, but we never take the time to be still and seek God about it.
The enemy is always trying to drive us just to do. Yet receiving inspiration from God often requires us to be still and wait. That can be very difficult for some of us. When we do try it, our minds may still be running 90 miles an hour. We may be trying to figure out something or plan our next move. However, being still and knowing that He is God is shutting down all of those voices, including our own sometimes. If we slow down to see what God’s trying to say, we may discover that He already has a perfect solution or direction prepared for us.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14 KJV
Switch from fix-it mode to trust Him mode
Sometimes to deal with stress, we have to decide to just stop and not let whatever it is affect us. We may feel our muscles tense and our body acting out, but we can still choose to pull back the reins, be still, and wait for a minute.
That can be extra difficult if we’ve been raised in performance and drivenness to do, do, do all the time. Even in church, we may get pulled into that trap. Some people feel like there is something wrong if they ever have an empty night. Yet, although we have the best intentions, this mode of existence can wear us out. Sometimes we get so busy doing things for God that we forget to stop and ask Him what He wants us to do!
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Being still and waiting for God takes practice
He wants us to take time sometimes to be still and know that He is God. We need to cultivate the ability to do that; it may not come easily or come naturally, but He will lead us to that place with patience and time. It’s something that we have to prioritize and take time out for, where we stop everything we think we’re supposed to be doing for a minute and be still in His presence.
It’s like plugging ourselves back into our source and recharging. We’re taking humility to a whole other level when we acknowledge that what He wants us to think about is far greater and more important than all the things we have jumbled in our heads. He can help us unscramble all the noisy thoughts and refocus our attention on the things that really matter. When we finally do get it, and stop it all and quiet our spirit, God’s peace that passes all understanding will wash over us.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 KJV
God needs to do the work in our heart; we cannot make it happen by ourselves.
We need to ask God to show us how to cultivate that state of being still and knowing that He is God by His Holy Spirit. In that quiet place, the Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance scriptures that will glorify God in our hearts. He may even speak to your heart.
He wants you to know, “I am here, I’ve been here all along, the noise just drowned me out. I will never leave you or forsake you. You are the apple of my eye.”
An exhortation by
Pastor Scott Harper and Pastor Donna Wright
This exhortation is a highlight from a Hope of the Generations Church Service. Watch the whole service here:
Here are some more articles related to “How to Hear God”:
How to Develop Patience – By David Levitt – Learning to wait on God and hear Him requires patience with ourselves and God. Learn how to develop patience to assist you on your journey to maturity in God.
Praying to God the Father – Discover who are we instructed to pray to and why is this important for learning how to hear God. Also, learn how to connect with God at a deeper level
What Does the Bible Say About Trusting God? – By David Levitt – Our ability to hear God may be limited if we are unable to trust God. David Levitt reveals scriptural insights into how you can grow in trusting God.
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