Hearing Envy: Learning to Discern God’s Voice

Woman raising hands to sun in sky illustrate discerning and hearing God’s voice

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

My cat has a great sense of hearing. Often times, he’ll hear things that I can’t. One day, he was sitting on my kitchen counter. I shooed him off the counter, but I noticed that he seemed fascinated by the kitchen window. As I stood quietly, I heard gentle chirping sounds. I looked out my window to find a small nest of baby birds. My cat had been drawn to them by their chirping!

Sometimes it can feel like a struggle to hear from God. In those times, I’m reminded of the young prophet Samuel and his experiences when he was learning to discern God’s voice. When God first spoke to Samuel, he didn’t recognize God’s voice and thought that he was being summoned by Eli, the high priest, in order to serve. He goes to Eli three times in the middle of the night before Eli realizes that God is summoning Samuel and instructs him on how to properly receive a word from God.

Learning to Better Discern God’s Voice

Learning to hear God’s voice is an important part of being in relationship with God. Yet, it takes time and even some guidance from more seasoned believers in Christ before we can know God’s voice. Just like Samuel, we may even struggle to hear God’s voice from time to time and make more than a few mistakes. Still, we must be just as persistent as Samuel in getting to know the voice of God for ourselves. As we learn how to discern God’s voice, we can trust that our God, who was patient in calling Samuel, will be patient with us as we learn to hear and walk in relationship with Him.

Let’s Pray!

Dear Father, please help me to learn how to hear your voice. Please continue to be patient with me as I learn to walk in relationship with you.

Please check out some of the other blogs on hearing the voice of God to grow in this area of your faith. You can also find other devotionals and prayers to encourage you in your walk with God.