The Voice of God

It occurred to me the other day that there are numerous biblical references to the voice of God. Perhaps you've had that experience where a familiar concept suddenly seems foreign in a different context or presentation, this was one of those times. There was the sound of God's voice which spoke the worlds into existence ( Gen. 1:1, Heb. 11:3 ). There was the sound of His voice walking in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve's fall ( Gen. 3:8 ). He spoke to a Syrian named Abraham and made him an offer he couldn't refuse (Gen. 12:1). This same voice spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Ex. 3:4). This subtle sound soothed the jangled nerves of the prophet Elijah in the cave (I Kings 19:12). According to Psalm 19 this voice goes out into the entire earth as the sounding out of truth into the hearts of men. In firm resolve this voice both rebuked and defended the man of integrity, Job (37:5 ).

Is there any wonder then that when this voice became localized in a body, that those listening said “Never man spake like this man...”(John 7:46). What must it have been like to actually hear with the ear what we've already heard with the heart? Those listening to the Lord Jesus Christ were amazed at His ability to not side step an issue and still defeat the purposes of those questioning Him. Time after time He spoke to those most in need and they heard the love of God, from God Himself.

As one of the disciples, the Apostle John heard Him speak many times. As one of the inner circle, He leaned on His breast and felt the reverberations of this voice as it moved through the air. Even so, when John heard that voice on the Isle of Patmos, there was a new dimension added. Not only was there a physical transformation from the familiar physique which he knew before, but there was something else which John says that is significant. "...and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Oh, the majesty; oh, the glory of this scene! Since the nature of the scene is much more revealing than the fleshly life of Christ allowed, it must then be assumed that the majesty and authority of Christ is completely unveiled in this description of His voice.

All this being true, it is the more amazing, that when I am curled up in an emotional ball in the corner of my mind, that voice is the one who coaxes me out and assures me that all will be well even if it isn't well right now. It is His loving and quiet voice which soothes my fevered brow and talks me down off of that spiritual ledge I'm perched on. It is the same person with a voice like “many waters”.

Even so, it is all the more amazing that I don't always obey Him. How can this be? Though He also has a voice which can change the course of human history with a few well placed syllables I still struggle to obey this majestic voice. Is it my hearing, or my listening? As we say in the south I am not “minding” Him, even though I hear His voice. Anyone identify with my amazement?