Hearing His Voice #240

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:2

Men from the church at Antioch were worshiping—some translations say “ministering to the Lord”—and they heard directly from the Holy Spirit. We don’t know what that sounded like, or whether it began in the spirit of one man or in several simultaneously. We only know that this group collectively sensed a leading that they could attribute definitively to the Holy Spirit, and that it resulted in the beginning of missionary journeys to far reaches of the empire that would dramatically influence world history.

What exactly did these men hear? We know what the Spirit said, but did He speak in an audible voice? Did He influence hearts with the deep “knowing” that can’t be clearly explained by those who have experienced it? Whatever the case, His words were specific and undisputed. The men knew they had heard from God.

Perhaps the bigger issue is not how they heard, but what they were doing when they heard. They were worshiping and fasting, ministering to the Lord, focused on His desires and purposes rather than their own. They weren’t asking for guidance or seeking His will. They hadn’t come with a particular agenda of what they would like to accomplish in the world. As far as we can tell, they had nothing on their to-do list other than caring for God’s heart. And that created the right environment for them to hear world-changing instructions.

One of the keys to hearing God’s voice is to take a break from seeking it sometimes. It’s more important to Him for us to know and love Him than it is for us to get information from Him. But when we make the relationship the priority, the instructions come. Those who seek His heart will discover what’s truly on it.

Holy Spirit, I want to hear Your voice just as the men in Antioch did. But more than that, I want to express my love through worship. You are always my highest priority.