Hearing God’s Voice in the Life of the Missionary

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

—Isaiah 30:21

Hearing God’s voice is a discipline that is acquired by learning to tune other voices out. There are many voices that are constantly screaming for our attention.

The flesh has a very loud voice. It constantly cries for attention and approval. The world also strains its voice to be heard. It has become incessant in this day of technology. Our very own soul has a voice. David heard that voice when being chased by Saul. “And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.” It would have been good if he would not have listened to that voice.

All too frequently the legitimate demand of missionary ministry is a voice that nags us into submission. The groaning of others caught in their misery and pain is another voice that easily captures the attention of the tender, servant of God; nevertheless none of these are the voice of God.

We cannot effectively minister as missionaries without hearing the sweet voice of our beloved Savior. Most often it is in the quiet solitude of patient meditation and waiting that God’s voice suddenly comes to us. Oswald Chambers describes it succinctly, “There is no mistake when Our Lord speaks, He always comes with an arrestment of the understanding.” Are you hearing the voice of God?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

—John 10:27

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