Hearing His Voice #100

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Some people suggest that many Christians spend too much time trying to discern God’s “perfect will” rather than simply following the heart and wisdom God gave them. The assumption behind this suggestion is that God doesn’t have a single-minded purpose for us but allows us a range of choices. And if a big purchase or a geographic move or a marriage partner seems okay to us, why not feel the freedom to take a major step without hearing from God about it?

There’s a kernel of truth in this argument—God does put desires and wisdom into our hearts—but not enough truth to make this the prevailing pattern for our lives. Especially in major decisions, God loves to speak to us and guide us. In fact, Proverbs urges us to forsake our own understanding as we seek God’s direction. Why? Because God’s will often runs contrary to our own thought processes. He led Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the prophets, and many others in absolutely ludicrous directions, from a human point of view. Why, then, would we abandon our attempts to hear His voice and make His guidance a matter within our own minds? That’s the solution of a generation that doesn’t have the patience or yearning to press in and wait for God to speak, no matter how long it takes or how much deeper into His presence He calls us. That’s the advice of an impatient spirit that doesn’t believe God speaks very often. And it isn’t very biblical.

Scripture is filled with specific guidance from the voice of God, and it presents the possibility of hearing Him not as a rare exception but as a normal lifestyle. We have a tremendous capacity for making wrong decisions, and when we look in the rearview mirror, we often wish we had gotten clearer guidance. If we will be patient and persistent in seeking God’s direction, that guidance will come.

Lord, I don’t want to just do whatever seems right. My understanding is limited, but You know what’s best. I want to hear You clearly and specifically.