SEEK DEVOTIONAL

Psalms has several chapters that describe God’s voice. Over a few days this week, we will consider these passages and their implications for our lives. I believe Psalm 29 is foundational for learning to hear and experience the voice of God.

To begin, does God even speak today? That’s a question many people wrestle with. Some would even say it is dishonoring to the authority of Scripture to believe in a God who still speaks. I respectfully disagree. Our natural human disposition is to approach and interpret the Bible through the lens of our own experiences, but we should let Jesus flip that ideological table so that the Bible becomes the lens through which we interpret our lives.

If Jesus had said, “Hey disciples, once you complete writing the New Testament, I am never going to speak again,” then I would concede, but He did not say that. Obviously, I am being slightly tongue-in-cheek, but here’s the main point: the Bible goes to great lengths to describe God’s voice, and it would be strange, and theologically inconsistent, if these passages were somehow nullified simply because we live after the canonization of the Bible. God’s Word is the complete and perfect revelation of who He is and of His Kingdom, and it declares the absolute power, majesty, and authority of His voice.

Every time Jesus interacts with the enemy in the Gospels, whether with demons or with the devil himself, the power of Jesus’ words disarms the enemy. And when He returns for the final victory, it will be His word spoken that delivers the ultimate crushing blow to the powers of darkness. So of course, the enemy would love for us to believe that God is a silent God. I am thankful to serve a God who speaks, and for passages like Psalm 29, which begin to unveil what His voice is actually like.

Liturgically (a fancy word to describe how the church has historically used Scripture in worship), Psalm 29 is meant to be read during a thunderstorm. So in a few months, when we find ourselves in the middle of a West Texas storm, read this Psalm. Especially verses 3–4:

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Then read its New Testament counterpart, John 12:28–30:

“Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.”

These passages should stir our hearts toward wonder and reverence. Sadly, many people claim to have heard God speak while being led to do wildly unbiblical, foolish, and even sinful things. There is clearly no reverence for God’s holiness in their decisions, and so we can confidently say they did not hear from the Lord. If you sense the Lord speaking to you, it will be marked by reverence and, most importantly, it will align with Scripture. The book of Isaiah describes godly people as those who “hear the word of the Lord” and who “tremble at His word.”

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, one word from You and one moment in Your holy presence can change everything. Thank You that Your voice is more powerful than the empty accusations and lies of the enemy. Help me learn to hear You speaking. I am in awe that You are the Lord of heaven and earth, and that You still desire a relationship with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.