Bible – Botswana Bible Society

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Hearing the voice of God is a central theme throughout Scripture. From the gentle whisper to the thunderous proclamation, God’s voice guides, comforts, and instructs His people. Understanding how to hear His voice is crucial for anyone seeking to follow His will. Here are seven Bible verses that highlight the importance of hearing and recognizing God’s voice.

1. John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Jesus uses the metaphor of sheep and a shepherd to describe the relationship between Himself and His followers. Just as sheep recognize and respond to the voice of their shepherd, believers are called to recognize and follow the voice of Jesus. Hearing God’s voice is not just about recognition, but also about obedience. When we truly hear Him, we follow where He leads.

2. 1 Kings 19:11-12 – “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”

God’s voice is not always found in the loud and dramatic. Instead, He often speaks in a “low whisper” or “still small voice.” Be still and quiet your hearts, creating space to hear the subtle yet profound voice of God. It teaches us that God often communicates in ways that require us to listen carefully and attentively.

3. Isaiah 30:21 – “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

God provides guidance, even in the midst of uncertainty. As we navigate life’s decisions, God’s voice directs us, showing us the right path. This promise of divine guidance encourages us to trust that God will speak to us when we need direction, leading us on the path He has set before us.

4. Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

In the busyness and noise of life, it can be challenging to discern God’s voice. However, by intentionally being still and acknowledging His sovereignty, we create an environment where we are more likely to hear Him speak. Stillness allows us to focus on God and tune in to His voice.

5. Hebrews 3:7-8 – “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.’”

Hearing God’s voice requires not only listening but also being willing to act on what we hear. A hardened heart can prevent us from fully receiving God’s message and guidance. This verse calls us to be open and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

6. Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

We are encouraged to seek God actively, knowing that He desires to reveal deep and profound truths to us. It emphasizes the relational aspect of hearing God’s voice, where we engage in dialogue with Him, confident that He will respond.

7. Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, knocking and speaking. The invitation is clear: if we hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and fellowship with us. This verse highlights the personal and relational aspect of God’s communication, emphasizing that hearing His voice leads to deeper communion with Him.

Conclusion

Hearing the voice of God is a profound and essential part of the Christian life. These verses remind us that God speaks in various ways—sometimes in a whisper, sometimes in guidance, and always with a heart of love. To hear His voice, we must cultivate stillness, maintain a receptive heart, and be willing to respond in faith. As we do, we draw closer to God, following His lead and growing in our relationship with Him.

Jerusalem Will Be Safe

1 You defeated my people.

Now you're in for trouble!

You've never been destroyed,

but you will be destroyed;

you've never been betrayed,

but you will be betrayed.

When you have finished

destroying and betraying,

you will be destroyed

and betrayed in return.

2 Please, Lord, be kind to us!

We depend on you.

Make us strong each morning,

and come to save us

when we are in trouble.

3 Nations scatter when you roar

and show your greatness.

4 We attack our enemies

like swarms of locusts;

we take everything

that belongs to them.

5 You, Lord, are above all others,

and you live in the heavens.

You have brought justice

and fairness to Jerusalem;

6 you are the foundation

on which we stand today.

You always save us and give

true wisdom and knowledge.

Nothing means more to us

than obeying you.

The Lord Will Do Something

7 Listen! Our bravest soldiers

are running through the streets,

screaming for help.

Our messengers hoped for peace,

but came home crying.

8 No one travels anymore;

every road is empty.

Treaties are broken,

and no respect is shown

to any who keep promises.

9 Fields are dry and barren;

Mount Lebanon wilts

with shame.

Sharon Valley is a desert;

the forests of Bashan and Carmel

have lost their leaves.

10 But the Lord says,

“Now I will do something

and be greatly praised.

11 Your deeds are straw

that will be set on fire

by your very own breath.

12 You will be burned to ashes

like thorns in a fire.

13 Everyone, both far and near,

come look at what I have done.

See my mighty power!”

Punishment and Rewards

14 Those terrible sinners

on Mount Zion tremble

as they ask in fear,

“How can we possibly live

where a raging fire

never stops burning?”

15 But there will be rewards

for those who live right

and tell the truth,

for those who refuse

to take money by force

or accept bribes,

for all who hate murder

and violent crimes.

16 They will live in a fortress

high on a rocky cliff,

where they will have food

and plenty of water.

The Lord Is Our King

17 With your own eyes

you will see the glorious King;

you will see his kingdom

reaching far and wide.

18 Then you will ask yourself,

“Where are those officials

who terrified us and forced us

to pay such heavy taxes?”

19 You will never again have to see

the proud people who spoke

a strange and foreign language

you could not understand.

20 Look to Mount Zion

where we celebrate

our religious festivals.

You will see Jerusalem,

secure as a tent with pegs

that cannot be pulled up

and fastened with ropes

that can never be broken.

21 Our wonderful Lord

will be with us!

There will be deep rivers

and wide streams

safe from enemy ships.

The Lord Is Our Judge

22 The Lord is our judge

and our ruler;

the Lord is our king

and will keep us safe.

23 But your nation is a ship

with its rigging loose,

its mast shaky,

and its sail not spread.

Someday even you that are lame

will take everything you want

from your enemies.

24 The Lord will forgive your sins,

and none of you will say,

“I feel sick.”

1 Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. 2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. 3 At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered. 4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. 5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. 7 Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. 8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man. 9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits . 10 Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. 11 Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. 12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.

13 ¶ Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. 17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. 18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? 19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21 But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. 23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. 24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

Isaiah 33