Hearing His Voice #160

For the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalm 31:3, NIV

The pastor had sensed a transition was coming to his church. He just didn’t know the transition would come about because of his departure. He had no intention of leaving, until God began to raise the question in his heart. He asked if he was hearing correctly, but he could hardly believe the direction. Then a friend in another city texted him to say he sensed God was about to move him. And when he traveled to another country for a speaking engagement, the host pastor said, “I see God giving you an exit ramp that you need to take.” Another leader in the next city gave essentially the same message. None of these people had heard from each other or from the pastor about this time of transition. They had simply sensed it from God’s Spirit. The convergence of the message confirmed the surprising word God had been speaking.

God doesn’t typically use the words of other people to inform us of a new direction, but He very often speaks through others to confirm something we’ve already been praying about. In fact, He sometimes lets us quietly wrestle with a decision until we come to grips with it and choose, and only then will He confirm what we’ve already arrived at by faith. He doesn’t take away the need for faith up front; He lets us flex our faith muscles until He’s ready to support us with His affirmation. It’s rarely a smooth process, but it’s an effective one. He guides us with skillful hands even when we think we’re wandering.

Be very cautious when someone says that God has given him or her a message for you that would require a significant change of direction. But if you think God has already been leading you in a new direction and still aren’t sure, don’t be surprised if He uses the words of others to confirm it. He knows how to guide, and He lets others be part of the process.

Lord, I listen earnestly for Your guidance, but You never told me to listen alone. Give me timely words from others—and discernment to know when to heed them.