What does it take to feel confident that God is speaking to you? Or do you sometimes wonder if the things you are thinking about are things you are making up?
God truly wants to have conversations with you through prayer, which focuses on a relationship with Him. How do you go about doing that?
Start with scripture
The first place to begin listening to God is with the scriptures. The scriptures tell us that all scripture is God-breathed, so therefore you can be confident that when reading it, you can gain insight into what message He may be wanting to say to you.
We have talked about lectio divina before, having the scriptures wash over you, listening for what might shimmer. The Psalms are all prayers, so you can start there to get to know God, feel emotions and cry out to Him, especially during hard times. How does He want to reassure you?
David reminds us in Psalm 23: 1-3 NLT:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in gren pastures, He leads me beside quiet water. He refreshes my soul.
One way God uses those verses in my life is to reassure me that He is the shepherd, He is leading, I can count on Him to refresh my soul. And that right now is what I want to focus on. Such reassurance!
Notice repetitions
Another way to be confident that God is speaking is through repetition. Have you had a particular verse, word or principle come into your consciousness several times in a short amount of time? When that happens to me, I know I need to pay close attention.
For example, I read the following verses from Deuteronomy 31:8 in three different contexts over a three-day period.
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged
At the time of seeing those verses, I had been struggling with a relationship issue in my extended family. How kind of God to remind me that He indeed saw the issue, was in the middle of the situation and I didn’t need to be discouraged, nor afraid. I only needed to be watching and noticing His hand.
As you begin to notice repetitions, what else might you notice? Can you begin to believe that God wants to show Himself to you? What serendipity, providence or meaningful coincidences come to mind?
Get out in creation
Another place to hear His voice tends to be in creation. In the book, When Faith Becomes Sight, by Beth and David Booram, they talk about how creation is God’s big book and the Bible is His little book.
By getting out in creation, you can open yourself up to His transcendence. You might find yourself ushered into the hush of God’s grandeur and perhaps experience the reassurance that comes from knowing all is well in light of nature, sky, lake, and forest. Getting out in nature opens you to the wonder of God. Even out under a starry sky at night, the beauty of a sunrise or sunset. What might He whisper to your soul?
What about you?
How can you begin to build your confidence that God truly wants to speak to you? Will you pray using scriptures? Or begin to notice repetitions? Or soak in God’s goodness in creation?
You can be confident that He wants to speak to you, His beloved, His delight.
Please reply back and let me know how He speaks to you this week. I truly would love to know.
Blessings,
Nancy
Hi Nancy-I enjoyed your writing today. This week I feel more aware of God speaking to me. Several mornings this week I have awoke to a worship song in my head. It is a constant reminder of his presence and repeating a chorus of His faithfulness. Here are the words: “ come tend the garden, come tend the garden of my soul…”
Cheryl, I am glad you reminded all of us of the opportunities we have to hear God’s voice through worship songs…. I am glad He is speaking to you that way. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing that.