Still Small Voice

At first Samuel didn’t know the Lord was calling him by name, but the third time he said to God that he was listening and God spoke to him. If we’re listening He will speak to us too. God wants to guide us in His ways, and Psalm 37:23-24 tells us ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. He delights in each step they take’.

As I step into this new year, I know there are four things the Lord desires of me; to repent of sin, to listen to Him, to obey Him and to receive His blessing. He calls, whispers, shouts or sings through the noise of my busyness, the quietness of the night, in my pains, troubles or distress, or in the excitement of something new. Like Elijah or Samuel, I find Him calling my name. I hear that still, small voice, and in His kindness, His Spirit is moving, drawing me into His way. Like Elijah, will I come out of my cave, into His presence, and hear His voice (1 Kings 19:9-13)?

Sometimes I try and make my own plans, not remembering that the Lord has the perfect plan for my life. The psalmist says to God ‘You will keep on guiding me all my life with your with your wisdom and counsel’ (Psalm 73:24). Often things occur in my life that I don’t understand and I ask ‘why did this happen to me?’ But afterwards I realise that it was God’s way of getting my attention. He may not have caused it to happen, but He used it to speak to me!

When God speaks to us His words bring great peace, and we can know that, if we follow Him, we’re placing our future in His hands.

As John Greenleaf Wittier so aptly wrote:

Breathe through the heats of our desire, thy coolness and thy balm,
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.

Prayer: Speak Lord, for I’m listening. I want to follow You closely in everything, that out of Your blessing, I may serve You, in Jesus’ name.