JANUARY 11: “RECOGNIZING GOD’S VOICE MATTERS”

Dominic was on a trip one day. While waiting in a massive, noisy airport terminal, hundreds of different announcements blared over the intercom, people were shouting, music was playing and there were countless signs pointing in every direction. He saw it as a sensory overload, representing the “noise” of the world: constant distractions, competing philosophies, different demands and endless advice.

Dominic sat there imagining a sudden emergency situation arising (e.g., a security threat or a fire alarm) with panic erupting and a chaotic general evacuation beginning to happen. Most people are running wildly, following the crowd or shouting strangers, unsure of where the actual safe exits are.

Dom, however, has a pre-established relationship with a specific, highly trained emergency coordinator whom he knows and trust implicitly. He recognized his voice instantly amidst the cacophony.

Knowing the voice of God allowed Noah to receive and act upon specific, detailed instructions that ultimately saved him and his family from the destructive flood.

Our text for today’s reflection details a direct communication where God commanded Noah to build an ark, come into an established covenant with Him, gather specific occupants into the ark for safety and store food enough to cater for them through the duration of the flood in accordance with the plan of God.

Without the ability to discern and obey God’s voice, Noah would not have known about the impending flood, nor would he have had the specific blueprint and mission necessary to prepare for it. His obedience was a direct result of hearing and trusting God’s voice, which distinguished him from the rest of the world that was “corrupt…and filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11-12). 

Recognizing the voice of God provides clarity in a noisy world; direction that leads to safety and purpose and confidence to obey instructions that might seem unconventional to others, ultimately leading to preservation and life. This is why you must make it an important personal spiritual discipline to get to know the voice of God so you can stay in constant alignment with Him.

PRAYER: Lord keep speaking to me until I can distinguish your voice from every other, Amen.