What do you hear?

Oh I want to hear from the Lord, don't you? To hear the audible voice of God Almighty. The very voice that spoke the world into being. The Voice that calmed the sea. The great and mighty voice of the I AM. And the tender voice of the one calling me home and saying "Well, done....". As I was thinking about this I began noticing something interesting about how people heard the audible voice of God in the stories of the bible. Some heard a still small voice, others the voice of an angel, and yet others heard a terrifying sound that they begged to stop.

John 12:28-29 says...
" Father Glorify your Name! Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.' the crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered, others said an angel had spoken to him."

 Exodus 20:18 says...
" When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen, but do not have God speak to us or we will die"

Hebrews 12 :19 says...
"...such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them..."

1Kings 19:12 says...
"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

What was the difference? Why did some hear terrifying thunder and others hear a gentle whisper? Why does Moses hear the Lord calling him up the mountain yet the people hear a terrifying loud trumpet blast and thunder?

Could it be that it depends on our positioning? The same voice speaks, The same words are written on the pages of scripture, but perhaps our ability to hear is different depending on the condition of our heart. The same words speak peace and restoration to one person, and offend, frighten, and convict another.

The simple truth is this. We will all hear the voice of God someday. Whether you are a Christian or not you will hear the voice of God. And you will stand before his throne. The question remains, do you want to be terrified? Or comforted? When we repent and turn to him we can hear him as the gentle whisper that brings hope and healing into our heart, rather than the terrifying voice we wish would stop speaking. I hope you will spend some time today learning how to hear his gentle voice. The Lord is faithful and just and His greatest desire is to be reconciled with his people.

Blessings today as you listen to what God has to say to you today.