Hearing His Voice #82

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

Acts 8:29

What did it sound like when the Spirit spoke to Philip? Apparently, the voice was very clear and specific; Philip knew exactly what to do. But it seems the voice wasn’t audible or visual; somehow it was different from the words of the angel who had just spoken to Philip. So he heard tangibly from the Spirit, yet the words were likely inaudible. God quietly let him know exactly what to do when the time was right.

We have the same Spirit, so why do we not hear from the Spirit with the same clarity? Perhaps it’s because we haven’t been as attentive or as steeped in the Spirit’s ways as Philip was. He was one of seven well-respected men, “full of the Spirit and wisdom,” who were selected by the apostles to run a food program for Greek-speaking widowed believers in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-3). Or perhaps it’s because we hear the same kind of prompts that Philip heard but second-guess them until they are mere wisps of unheeded revelation. Regardless, there is a solidity to Philip’s relationship with the Spirit that we long for. We want to be able to say, “Then the Spirit told me . . .”

Ask God for concreteness and clarity. Place some faith in the Spirit’s ministry of conversation with you. Take some risks in stepping out on the words you think He is speaking. Let Him use you as an instrument of hearing and speaking His truth. And perhaps He will change a life—or even a city or nation—through your words.

Holy Spirit, I want to hear You as clearly as Philip did. I want to be able to follow Your specific instructions. Give me the faith to do so and the ears to hear You. And speak powerfully through me as I respond to what You are speaking to me.