Only myself and another man sat in the waiting room at the orthodontist’s office. I watched for the dental clinician to appear, call my name, and take me through for my appointment. Instead, the office robot silently glided to the entrance of the waiting room and stopped. It said something in its electronic voice, which I couldn’t quite understand. As I stared at it, the man across the other side of the waiting room said, “I think it is calling your name.” Confused and unsure whether he was right, it wasn’t until I walked up to the robot I could see my name written on its screen. Then I obediently followed it into the office; the clinician was waiting for me with an amused expression.
One thing is clear in the verse below, Abraham knew God’s voice.
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied (Genesis 21:1).
When God spoke Abraham’s name, Abraham responded.
At this point in Genesis 21, Abraham had been on a journey with God, both physical and spiritual—a journey that had taken him from his home and country to a new location.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you (Genesis 12:1).
And a journey that had taken him to have faith in God.
And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith (Genesis 15:6 NLT).
I love how Abraham not only knew that God was speaking to him but also readily responded with words of willingness and openness to whatever God had in store for him.
“Here I am.”
Jesus said something similar about people who follow him: “My sheep know my voice.”
No sheep dogs, or robots, direct sheep in the Near East. Instead, shepherds lead their flocks by their voices.
When Mary heard Jesus say her name in the garden when he had risen from the dead, she recognized him. She knew the voice of her Lord and she responded
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”) (John 20:16).
We are not far into the New Year to start a new habit—that of beginning each day listening for God’s voice saying our names and responding “Here I am.”
What better way to start each day with one of readiness to listen, to follow God’s instruction, to believe in his promises, and to trust him fully with what is ahead?
Use this prayer to help you and leave a comment below:
Leave a comment and I will choose one person to win a copy of Looking Up: Finding Joy as You Read and Pray Through the Bible by Janet Holm McHenry).
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In the Bible, there are times when God spoke directly to a person. I’ve been looking at and sharing with you the encouragement I’ve discovered in those times when God spoke “out loud.”
This spoke to my heart. I hear God’s voice speaking to me often. Even more so since the passing of my son a year ago.
During a sermon a pastor shared Revelation 21:4, at the end of the reading I clearly heard God whispering to me. His words were a soothing balm to this mother’s grieving heart.
God assured me that Jared was with him and that Jared was whole again, just as he intended him to be. I trusted God’s words, I knew at that very moment that my son was safe with his God.
Myra, your experience of hearing God’s voice is beautiful, tender, and so reassuring to a mother’s heart. God knows our pain and is there to comfort us. God’s love for us and the ones we have lost is amazing, deep and immense.
I constantly communicate with God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to all believers as He was on His way to be with His Father. The Holy Spirit encourages and supports me throughout the day. Thank you for your devotion. We can use Abraham’s example today to draw closer to God by being aware of His nearness.
So beautiful to read about your constant communication with God through His Holy Spirit.
I love your prayers & am looking forward to purchasing your book. Just waiting to buy it in Canada.
That’s wonderful, Gail. Is Pray Naturally not available yet in Canada? I can speak to my publisher about it if there is a problem getting it.
I love it that God wants to speak to us directly. My experience of Him ‘speaking’ to me is often Him putting a thought or a name in my mind out of the blue. And I am grateful for that.
I’ve just started reading the first few pages of your new book “Pray Naturally” and I love your style of writing. Your wisdom in understanding and putting God’s Word across so clearly is amazing, and I am positive many of us who read this book will take up the challenge to pray naturally! Thank you and God bless you.
Thank you Frances. I love that you are waiting and expecting to hear from God. And I’m glad you are enjoying Pray Naturally. It was a delight to write it.
I want to know His voice.
Amen, Mazie.
Really appreciate the way it made me feel. It is important to hear God speaking to me.
Love the reading of the exert.
That is a excellent reading. I want to be that child of God. That i want to know His voice. That is a great book. I would love to purchase it.
I pray that you will hear His voice and that it will bring joy to your heart, Victoria.
I want to always say, “Here am I.”
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Jesus, here I am.
Yes, I’m here.
And God loves to hear you say that, Maureen. He knows your tender heart for him.
Isn’t it difficult not to be able to get a person to talk to? So glad He knows our names.
Rebecca, it is beautiful that he knows our names. He loves to call us by name. I pray that you sense his love when he says “Rebecca.”