John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
There is no greater gift than to hear the voice of God. How does that statement make you feel? Does it strike a chord of excitement in your heart? Does it make you roll your eyes? Does it fill you with the longing of unmet desire?
From the beginning of creation, when God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the garden, to the prophets of old, and now to us through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the presence and voice of God have been accompanied with powerful deeds and intense affection. Yet, for many, the idea of hearing from God feels distant, unclear, or unattainable. Maybe even undesirable.
In this reading plan, we will explore this very topic—hearing from God. It will be a journey to peel back misconceptions, confront the enemy’s attempts to distort the truth, and reclaim the truth that God is speaking, and we can hear him.
To recover the truth will require courage and vulnerability. We will have to look deep in our hearts, and be willing to be honest with ourselves. Starting with the question, do you believe God wants to speak to you?
One of the greatest deceptions of the enemy is to convince us that hearing from God is reserved for the “spiritually elite.” But Scripture makes it clear: All those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:14). If you are a Christ-follower, you have the very Spirit of God in you and around you. This is not a privilege for the few, but a promise for all God’s sons and daughters.
Yet, even knowing this truth, we often struggle. Why? For one thing, we live in a world that is loud—filled with distractions, doubts, and distorted expectations. There is internal noise to contend with too. Many people have been wounded by religious environments where hearing from God was used as a weapon rather than a gift; others have been taught that once God was done writing the Bible, he went silent, missing the relational intimacy of his ongoing voice in our daily lives. To hear God’s voice, we are going to have to remove anything that’s blocking the way.
God longs for us to hear him. Not just to complete a task or to scold us or give us inner peace about an upcoming decision, but as a relationship to cultivate. As Jesus told His disciples, “It is good that I go, for I will send you a better guide” (John 16:7, paraphrased). Jesus makes it clear that being in the presence of the Holy Spirit is even better than being face-to-face with the Son of God himself. Does that sound like your experience? And yet, Jesus said it. It must be true. The Holy Spirit now dwells within us, leading, guiding, and speaking—if we are willing to tune in.
The truth is, God’s voice is not distant; it is personal, life-giving, and available. He speaks through his Word, his Spirit, creation, through the words of others, and even the still small whispers in our hearts. The real question is, are we listening? Do we even know how?
As you ponder all this with God today, consider asking Him:
Father, what do I believe in my heart about your desire and ability to speak to me? What do I believe in my heart about my desire and ability to hear from you?
Jesus, you said that the Holy Spirit is a “better guide.” In what ways have I missed out on this truth?
Holy Spirit, would help me to be aware of your presence and to discern the various ways that you speak to my heart?
