I Samuel 10:17-18
“Samuel called the people to assemble before GOD at Mizpah. He addressed the children of Israel, ‘This is GOD’s personal message to you:”
“Later Samuel called all the people of Israel to meet before the Lord at Mizpah. And he said, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, has declared:”
I like the way Peterson renders this, “This is God’s personal message to you.” When a younger Christian I struggled to hear God speak to me. How would I know when I heard his voice? What if I’m listening to another’s voice instead? The answer was simple, though it took me years to understand. Read the word, and keep reading, until something speaks to your life. It helps to always ask yourself, “What is God doing or saying here?” Go to Christianbook.com to view the many Bible translations and choose one that is easy for you to read. As you become familiar with God as he reveals himself in the Bible, you will begin to hear him in other ways, nature, other Christians and in your spirit. His voice is quiet, small, and does not ramble. Turn aside from a voice that haunts or condemns. Learning to hear God’s personal messages to you takes practice, it is a pearl of great price.
Lord, may I always discern you correctly. Continue to speak into my life. Your voice is my rock. I need to hear it above all other things. May it fill me to overflowing.