Prophetic ministry is known for its ability to hear what God is saying, but almost all the prophetic people I know would agree that you can’t always guarantee that you will hear God, or that you will hear him accurately.
Sometimes God is simply not saying anything! Sometimes it is a matter of ‘hear what He is saying, not what you think He is saying!’ That itself is a little contentious!
The starting point is to hear God’s voice in Scripture and preaching “My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27) God wants us to hear his voice, to obey Him and not second guess what He requires of us. “In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things” (Heb 1:2). It is right to equate the scriptures with God’s voice, indeed they are what God is clearly speaking to us and what He has spoken to every other generation before us.
The Scriptures are the eternal truths unchanging, uncompromising and unconditionally faithful revelations of God to mankind. It is also true to say that God communicates and speaks openly through the preaching of His Word. Preaching is probably the #1. way that millions across the planet have heard God’s voice and heeded His call to repentance and to saving faith in and through Jesus Christ.
In our personal walk with God there is also another dimension; Hear His voice
In the book of revelation there is an invitation from God. People often mix things up a little here and their attention is focused on the knocking noise at the door. But Jesus said if anyone hears my voice – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me”. (Rev 3:20) Whilst many would interpret that as meaning a response to hearing the scriptures and the truth of the gospel (me included) it doesn’t disqualify the fact that at times God may want to speak with an audible voice.
Prayer is a two-way communication, it is not just that we speak and God hears God speaks and we need to listen! It may well be the case that God speaking a lot more than we realise. Learn to wait on God. Paul Cain used to spend 5 or 6 hours a day praying and seeking God’s face.
Most people can’t afford that sort of time, and that kind of commitment is quite unique. I don’t want to put ideas into your head but consider the discipline of world class athletes and musicians. They have astonishing abilities and skills because they put the effort in. They live their lives as few people will to attain results that few people can! We don’t seek God just to get words. That is a kind of manipulation and God sees through it! In our pursuit of Him He does speak and it is okay to expect God to speak.
A simple fact may be that as we spend more time with Him, we’ll her Him say more! The serious side of this is that as Christians, it is very beneficial to spend time with God, enjoying His presence even when you don’t ‘feel’ it. He’s always there.
Be encouraged, there are many ways that God will speak to you, pursue Him in prayer and He will make Himself heard. Every so often though, like in the testimony of Samuel or Elijah, there may be a voice.
