In the last blog post we talked about three myths when it comes to hearing God’s voice. Let’s pick up where we left off, and blast away at one of the most serious misconceptions people have about communication with God.
Myth #4
- God has better things to do than to talk to me.
This is the prevailing mindset of far too many Christians. This myth says that God reserves His strength, energy, and communication for only the most serious, cataclysmic moments in our lives. This belief says that God is somewhere off in the distance, observing us in an impartial way while He takes care of whatever business is more important (and what’s important is hardly ever us).
How it all started
Let’s go back to the beginning to debunk this myth. When you read about Adam and Eve, you can see that intimacy with God was quite natural. God walked and talked with His creation in the cool hours of the day. “They heard the voice of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden during the breeze of the day” (Gen. 3:8*). God not only sought out communion with His children, He also enjoyed it. How do we know this? Have a look at this passage:
After the LORD God formed from the ground every wild animal and every bird that flies, he brought each of them to the man to see what he would call it. Whatever the man called each living creature became its name.
Gen. 2:19*
Think about it. God is all-knowing. He already knew what Adam would call each animal. Nevertheless, He brought the animals to Adam to see what he would name them. I don’t know about you, but this speaks to me of a joyous, fun-loving conversation between God and Adam. I can almost hear God say, “Hippopotamus? That’s a good one Adam!” or “Aardvark? That’s funny!” Everything that’s joyous, beautiful, and life-affirming comes from God. Communication with Him is meant to be a blast!
Intimacy disrupted
Sadly, the fall of man disrupted this sweet and easy intimacy so that, “the man and his wife concealed themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Gen 3:8). Sin put a barrier between God and man. The desire to walk and talk with God gave way to the desire to hide from Him, but thankfully, God didn’t leave us stuck behind this wall of sin.
The saddest myth of all
I suppose that’s why of all the myths about hearing God, this one saddens me the most. It saddens me because it absolutely misses the point of Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus came to earth to break through the wall of separation between God and man (Matt. 27:51). He came as Immanuel, God with us! (Matt. 1:23). His death on the cross gives you the same access to God that Adam and Eve once had. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, faith in Christ allows you to come boldly and confidently into God’s presence (Eph. 3:12).
God so longed for intimacy with you that He sent His only Son to die a brutal, painful death in your place. Jesus restored the intimacy that was lost in the Garden. A.W. Tozer described it this way: “The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion.”
He’s still speaking
My friends, I hope you see that God is a speaking God. He sent His beloved Son who is called the Word (John 1:1). And when Jesus left this earth, He gave us His Spirit, with the promise that He (the Holy Spirit) would also speak to us.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
John 16:13*
The Holy Spirit is never too busy, too preoccupied, or too disinterested to talk to you. Abandon any misconceptions you have about hearing from God. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Good Shepherd. He speaks to and leads His sheep (John 10:3). Take time to listen for His voice. He paid a dear price for this intimacy, and He waits for you to access and enjoy it.
Be much alone with God and take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unburden yourself wholly- every thought, feeling, wish, plan, doubt- to Him. . . He wants not merely to be on good terms with you, but to be intimate.
Horatius Bonar
*The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1
Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
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