The Voice of the Lord.

Often in my conversations, and in my own heart, this question comes: "But how do I know that this voice that I hear is the Lord's?" It comes after a friend shares her dream and a potential opportunity to realize it. It comes when two choices lie on the table and you feel pulled toward one. It comes when you feel an uneasiness about a particular situation or relationship. As a believer...or maybe just in my own life...I hear/speak these words often.

Scripture speaks to this.

Christ says in John 10 that: "...The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice..."

The psalmist writes in Psalm 29 that: "...The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars..."

In 1 Kings 19, we read that: "...The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the 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 came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."

Now, I know what you're thinking: All of these passages say something different about recognizing the voice of the Lord. And if that's what you're thinking, then you'd be right. The truth is, I can't tell you how to determine the Lord's voice in your life. Because it's your life. Your relationship. And your familiarity with God determines your ability to hear Him...to recognize and follow His voice. In one moment, His voice might be obvious and clear. In another, it may be still...quiet. Sometimes, it may be easy to hear... Other times, it may take deep faith to believe that He is speaking in a certain way. But however He chooses to speak to you, know this: He is sovereign. And no matter what His voice sounds like...or how His hand moves in a life, you can be sure that it is perfectly done. I am grateful for that.

Jeremiah 29:11-13: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart..."

John 10:7-10: "...Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."