The Voice of God through his Holy Spirit

Does it take some sort of special gift from God to hear and interpret his voice without passing it off as hy[er-bole?

As Elihah was in the cave on Mt Horeb waiting to hear from the Lord, he said to Elijah; “Go stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rendering the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord - but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake - but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire - but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him; Elijah, why are you here?” (1 Kgs 19: 11 - 13).

After his resurrection Jesus joined two disciples on the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were discussing what had just occurred the past few days, with Jesus being crucified and on the third day it was found there was no body. Then Jesus started with the prophets and their speaking of Jesus’ rising from the dead. After inviting him into their home and the breaking of the bread, Jesus disappeared. Then the two said to each other; “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Lk 24: 13 - 32).

We always are exemplified by some people who will always say God spoke to them and it is astounding that they may be right. It isn’t a guessing game that God speaks to anyone who is open to his words that come in varied ways. However, if one is receptive to a communication with God he/she will feel some message that is relevant to their manner of their faith’s mission in life. There is one thing that we must be careful of and that is believing God sends a narrative to change the world or to seek revenge against anyone or something that is offending everyone. It isn’t a battle cry for us individually to pick up followers and charge out to do battle. God also never asks us to call down fire on our enemies or to become a preacher of hate against the worst anti-righteousness.

With Elijah, God was calling him to stand up for the right reasons against Jezebel and the pagan worship of too many Israelites. The disciples on their way to Emmaus got this silent word of hope in the breaking of the bread. This in itself musters courage in the face of evil that is always around.

Many times when we hear God’s voice, it is through his Holy Spirit that speaks to our heart and mind to motivate our need to become fruitful and always to spread hope. God will never encourage us to drag people who may be sinning to place them in sack-cloth and ashes. Since God never interferes with anyone’s free-will, neither should we do that as well. But, we must become the example of His goodness and pray they’ll hear the message through a silent expression and follow the Lord.

There are often periods when the Lord will speak and it is a vocal voice, although like Elijah’s experience, a silent yet encompassing sound that we’ll know is the Lord’s voice. It has happened to me in the past, and is not the only time, but when he speaks it is easy to qualify that the words came from him.

His words are comforting and easy to remember. The content, usually a word or two, is enough to say to the human person hearing him that he is real, loving, and always guiding that person in a positive manner.

Ralph B. Hathaway