Today If You Hear His Voice
Today, if you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts. – Hebrews 4:7
John 10:14-28
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and they know me,
15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.
The Essence of Effective Communication
Effective communication involves more than just exchanging information. It requires deliberate effort to make sure the message is not only received but also understood. Genuine communication occurs when both the speaker and the listener actively engage in the process. For the communicator, this means pacing their delivery and ensuring clarity so the audience can understand the meaning behind the words.
1 Corinthians 14:32 reminds us, “The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.”
This underscores the responsibility of the communicator to ensure their message is clear and comprehensible. If the audience does not understand, communication has not occurred.
The Role of Active Listening
Listeners play an active role in communication; they are not passive participants. Active listening goes beyond merely hearing the words being spoken; it requires empathy, which involves stepping into another person’s shoes and viewing the world from their perspective. Empathy is about understanding rather than making judgments.
Active listening also encompasses nonverbal cues, such as maintaining a warm demeanor, offering a friendly smile, and making engaging eye contact. These small gestures can have a significant impact, helping the speaker feel valued, respected, and understood. A little encouragement can go a long way in fostering meaningful connections.
Communication with the Father
Effective communication is vital in human relationships and absolutely crucial in our relationship with the Father. To truly hear Him, it starts with a deep and confident understanding of who He is. This knowledge not only deepens our connection but also strengthens our interaction.
John 10:27-28 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ starts when we hear His voice, respond in faith, and turn to Him. From that point on, communication begins, and as we continue listening to His voice, our relationship with Him grows deeper.
The Danger of Hardened Hearts
Unfortunately, there are times when we may draw back and harden our hearts, halting communication with the Father. Hebrews 4:7 warns, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” A hardened heart acts as a barrier, preventing us from hearing and responding to His voice.
To maintain a vibrant and growing relationship with the Father, we must keep the lines of communication open. This requires humility, attentiveness, and a willingness to listen and respond.
REFLECT & PRAY
Active listening and understanding require flexibility and attentiveness. There is no rigid formula for effective communication, especially in our relationship with the Father. Be prepared, stay alert, and anticipate the unexpected as you engage in meaningful dialogue with Him.
Father, encourage and enable me to hear Your voice clearly. Help me to practice active listening, to understand Your message, and to respond with faith and obedience. May my heart remain open to You, and may my relationship with You grow deeper each day.
INSIGHT
God’s Desire to Communicate
Hebrews 1:1-2 states, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many different ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, he created the universe.”
The Father’s immense love and compassion for the children of the King are clearly demonstrated in His desire to communicate with them. Throughout history, He has spoken in countless ways, without a fixed pattern or framework. His methods have been as diverse as the individuals He has chosen, coming from various backgrounds, levels of education, and experiences.
How God Spoke in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the Father often communicated directly with individuals. For example:
- To Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:9-19)
- To Noah (Genesis 6:13 – 9:17)
- To Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 7)
- To Moses (Exodus 33:11)
- To Samuel (1 Samuel 3:2-14)
At other times, He used angels as messengers, such as when He spoke to:
- Hagar (Genesis 16:7-12)
- Lot (Genesis 19:1-22)
- Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:2-23)
The Father also communicated through dreams and visions, as well as through extraordinary and unexpected means. These included:
- A whirlwind (Job 38:1)
- A burning bush (Exodus 3:1-2)
- A talking donkey (Numbers 22:28-35)
- A still small voice (1 Kings 19:13)
Prophets: The Father’s Primary Messengers
During the Old Testament period, the Father’s primary means of communication was through His prophets. Passages such as 2 Kings 17:23, Jeremiah 25:4, and Amos 3:7 highlight how the Father revealed His will through these chosen servants.
In the New Testament, the Father continued to speak through prophets and apostles, but His ultimate revelation came through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Communication
The Father’s truth was revealed to the world through people, but the process was initiated and carried out by the Holy Spirit. The written Word of God is the outcome of this divine collaboration.
2 Peter 1:20-21 explains, “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”
This personal connection between the Father and His messengers is evident throughout Scripture.
Nehemiah: A Case Study in Hearing from God
The Book of Nehemiah provides a compelling example of how the Father communicates with His children. Nehemiah “heard” from the Father, not through an audible voice but through an imprint on his heart. The Father inspired, guided, and directed Nehemiah’s thoughts and actions.
Nehemiah 2:12 states, “I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem.”
As Nehemiah moved forward, he was actively developing the plan in real time, step by step. His thoughts and strategies were being shaped and guided by God. This wasn’t a moment of sudden clarity but rather a continuous prompting, where divine inspiration intertwined with Nehemiah’s own reasoning and decision-making.
The Father’s guidance in this case emphasizes how He works through the minds and hearts of His people, not by overriding their thoughts but by shaping and directing them toward His purposes. Nehemiah’s experience shows the smooth collaboration between human initiative and divine prompting, where faith and action come together to fulfill God’s will.
The Father’s Guidance in Action
Equipped with the Father’s plan, Nehemiah carried out a covert nighttime mission to scout the terrain. At the right moment, he executed the plan, leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall in record time. Despite opposition and threats from enemies, Nehemiah succeeded because he trusted the Father’s guidance every step of the way.
When the Father Speaks, Listen
The Father’s communication is not limited to the past. He continues to speak to His children today, guiding them through His Word, His Spirit, and the circumstances of their lives. When the Father speaks, it is essential to listen, trust, and act in faith, knowing that His plans are perfect and His guidance is sure.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 