Monday 17 October 2011

The Voice of the Lord



Over and over again, the Scriptures confirm to us that what marks our God out as different from the idols is that whilst they “have mouths but cannot speak” (eg Psalm 115:5), His voice is powerful and majestic (Psalm 29:4).

God merely had to speak and the heavens and the earth were created (Genesis 1). Yesterday I was humbled by my 6 year old boy when I pointed out the beautiful colours in the sky to him and said “Look, Harry, God has taken His paintbox out and has painted the sky!” and he replied to me “No, Mummy, God just had to SPEAK to do that!”

Whilst Adam and Eve were able to speak with God freely in the Garden of Eden, the Fall destroyed this relationship. Now evicted from the Garden, sinful man finds it impossible to respond to God.

But “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

For the Son of God speaks, and His words have power:

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 
(John 5:24-25)

Those of us who have been called heard the very voice of the Son of God speaking to us! And now, as His sheep, we continue to listen to His voice (John 10:27).

God spoke to His people through Isaiah when He promised: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) And this promise was fulfilled when He sent His Spirit. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16:13).

I was so thankful that the Comforter ministered comfort to me earlier this year. In March, watching the television pictures of the devastating tsunami in Japan, I realised I was watching the effects of God speaking. “He…who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the LORD is his name” (Amos 5:8). I was literally laid low by the majestic, powerful voice of the Lord – lying face down on the floor, trembling in awe of Almighty God and the power of His voice, and feeling somewhat fearful in His presence. And the Holy Spirit reminded me that God remains my Heavenly Father, no matter what judgement falls upon the earth, because I approach Him in the Name of His Son. That blessed comfort undid me even more as I contemplated the sheer wonderment of the grace extended to sinners that we can call Almighty God our Heavenly Father!

The Scriptures clearly declare a future time when God will speak powerfully to all people and all nations of the earth. Isaiah 63 tells us that when the Messiah returns to the earth, He will come “speaking in righteousness, mighty to save” on this day of vengeance.  

“The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people" 
(Psalm 50:1-4)

This will be a time when all people and all nations of the earth will be silenced, except for the resounding declaration when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!

12 comments:

  1. Well written and a lovely depiction of the one true God, Diana. He is mighty and lofty--we cannot begin to understand His ways unless He shows them to us.

    It has been my long-held prayer that we as God's people would see Him as He is and hear Him as He speaks lest we be guilty like the Jews who did not recognize Him when He came.

    -E

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  2. Love what E said here "see Him as He is" how true. I want the same things, for people to see God as He really is in His word, embrace Him for all that He is, not some sort of god who suits there every whim or feeds carnality. I pray that for the Church and thank you Sister for sharing your thoughts. Wonderful as always.

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  3. Thank you both for your comments, I really appreciate your thoughts. It is certainly my prayer that I would know Him, really know Him, seeing Him, hearing Him, following Him wherever He leads. May He lead all of us into ever greater revelation of Himself!

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  4. I came to your blog a little while ago via Daily on my way to heaven
    Do you mind me asking whereabouts in the UK you are?

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  5. Hi Melanie - another Brit? Hurray :) We're in the southeast of England in Berkshire. Becky's blog is wonderful, isn't it? Such good articles on there.

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  6. Hi Diana
    I meant to reply sooner but for some reason blogger suddenly kept coming up with it being an invited blog only.
    Just to say what a small world-we are in Reading!
    I have immensely enjoyed the women of the reformation series
    Melanie

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  7. Wow Melanie - we're in Wokingham! If you're on Facebook, please get in touch :) Otherwise feel free to email me: dianalovegrove@hotmail.co.uk.

    Yes, the WOTR series was fascinating/humbling/convicting/encouraging all at once!

    Apologies about the blogger showing invited readers only - all sorted out again now!

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  8. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."(Psalm 73:26)- Soli Deo Gloria!

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  9. I know Thanksgiving is an American holiday but I'm passing through to wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving anyway! Much love!

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  10. Yolanda - Amen!

    Christina - ha, well, I'm having a thoroughly normal day here, but I'm drinking my tea in honour of all my American friends wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! God bless you, dear sister!

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  11. Precious little Harry - out of the mouths of babes. And that also speaks well of what he's learning from his "mummy" :)
    Beautiful post Diana. Hope you're enjoying the season.
    With love.

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  12. Diane! Hi there - hope you are well. I'm going to email you right now :) God bless you, sister x

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