It is essential to read the Bible, but it is not sufficient.
Jesus spoke in John chapter 10:
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,
23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.
24 So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s Name bear witness about Me,
26 but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep.
27 My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 I give them Eternal Life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My Hand.
29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s Hand.
30 I and the Father are One.”
The Jews had read many passages in the Old Testament time and time again, pointing to Jesus Christ, the Messiah yet when they stood before Him, they did not recognize Him. They did not have ears to hear and eyes to see! Hearing His Voice is critical to our future.
The one requirement of hearing GOD’S Voice has not changed throughout all dispensations. It is summed up in Jeremiah chapter 7:
23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey My Voice, and I will be Your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’
This is the same basic requirement of the New Testament! The true followers of Jesus hear His Voice. It is not a denominational label, it is not a form of worship, it is not adherence to a particular doctrine, it is hearing His Voice.
Because we hear His Voice, He knows us, He recognizes us, He takes notice of us, He acknowledges us, and then we follow Him. How can you follow Jesus if you can’t hear His Voice? This must be our highest priority!
When you hear His Voice, many things in your life will change. It will change your standards, it will change your priorities, it will change your values… it will change the way you live. I can testify of this Truth!
Hearing GOD’S Voice is personal.
David wrote by THE SPIRIT in Psalm chapter 23:
1 THE LORD is My Shepherd; I will lack nothing.
THE LORD will provide each of us with exactly what we need to live a blessed life. What I need is unique to my life, calling, and circumstances.
Hearing GOD’S Voice is intangible, It can’t be touched by man. We can’t apprehend It with our sight, we can’t apprehend It with our feelings, there is only one sense that can apprehend It, it is only by hearing.
I have known people who primarily rely on physical signs to direct their paths. FATHER may provide a sign, but it will only serve as a confirmation of what HE has specifically said to you. Without first hearing HIS Voice, signs will misdirect you away from HIM. We must not place our trust in signs for if you look for a sign, the world will gladly provide one.
Tangible objects, places, or customs will not replace hearing HIS Voice. The largest, most beautiful cathedral will not replace hearing HIS Voice. You can be anywhere and hear HIS Voice. Rituals are not required to hear HIS Voice. Uniforms, clothing, furniture, or any other objects are not required to hear HIS Voice. It is an intimate, personal relationship with THE LORD.
Hearing GOD’S Voice is always present in the sense of time. It’s not past, it’s not future, it is present.
Moses recorded by THE SPIRIT in Exodus chapter 3:
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His Name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My Name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
A voice has not past, nor does it have a future, it is always now!
Jesus spoke about the present in Matthew chapter 6:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and Your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
And concerning the end of the age which we are now in, Jesus spoke in Mark chapter 13:
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, to bear witness before them.
10 And the Gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Let us rely on hearing GOD’S Voice continuously as we confront the challenges set before us!