Day 95: The Voice of the Beloved (SoS 2:8)

The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills. 

 Song of Songs 2:8

The previous verse ended with the Bride resting and the Beloved instructing the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb. It is safe to say that the Beloved slipped away in her time of rest. This is because we see her alerted here by his voice from afar. She was no longer in his embrace. The exclamation mark shows how elated she was to hear his voice. How was voice brings joy to her heart. 

We concluded in Lesson 93 that there are seasons of rest in our walk with God that should not be interrupted by us or the people around us. We said they are very sensitive times in our lives when God aligns us and build us up for His purposes. The only signal of the end of the season of rest is the voice of the Lord. We must recognize His voice. 

Moses in Exodus 2 knew he was to deliver God's people but he did not wait for the voice of the Lord. Moses' season of rest was not over. God's plan was not to deliver His people with physical might but by a display of His mighty power. 

Many years later in Exodus chapter 3, Moses encountered God's mighty power at the burning bush. After that encounter, believed and follow God's plan. 

Jesus on the other hand in John 11 when told that His friend whom He loved was sick did not listen to men's voices or His emotions. He waited and I believe He did because He was waiting for a signal, waiting for the Father's voice. He said in John 5:19 that He does only as He sees the Father do. 

Seasons of rest are seasons of encounters that shape us for purpose and destiny. They are training periods. No one gets a certificate without completing the course. No matter the visions and dreams God places in our hearts, no matter how they burn within, and no matter how logical other voices sound, we must only be interrupted by the Lord's voice.

Jesus said in John 10:27 (The Easy English Bible Translation).

 My sheep recognize my voice. I know them and they follow me. 

Shepherding was a demanding job. The shepherd led his sheep to green pastures and water all day. At night, they were kept in an enclosure, sometimes with other shepherds' flocks. The shepherds were not afraid the flock would be difficult to separate. This is because, in the morning when the shepherd calls, only his sheep will follow.

Many voices speak to us daily. The world speaks its ideologies to us, our flesh communicates its desires, the devil brings his suggestions, and the Lord speaks through His Spirit. The one we listen to determines the choices we make, our experiences, and the course of our lives.  

Many believers find it hard to recognize God's voice. They think God does not speak to them. They go from prophet to prophet, pastor to pastor, seeking to hear from the Lord. God is not a gossip. He won't speak to others about you and not talk to you about you. Romans 8:14 says:

 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 

There are many Greek words translated as sons in the New Testament. This depends on what the writer wants to communicate. Some carry the idea of maturity or immaturity, and some refer to biological birth or adoption. The word in Romans 8:14 however is general. It pays no attention to the means of birth or maturity. It simply means anyone who is the offspring of another. Every Christian must hear, recognize God's voice, and follow Him. 

When you tune a radio, you keep turning the dial till you get the correct frequency without interference from white noise or another channel. Every voice that is not God's is white noise. Spending time with Him in prayer and the word is how we tune till we get the right frequency. We don't stop tuning in until His voice is perfectly clear. Until there is no doubt.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that the devil disguises himself as an angel of light. So it's important not just to hear, but to also recognize His voice. Worship and prayer help us hear His voice by quieting the noise around us and in our minds. The word helps us familiarize ourselves with the way He speaks by acquainting us with His nature, character and logic (the way He thinks).

In the next lesson, we'll look at the various means God speaks to us. For though we should respond only to His voice, He speaks in different manners.

PRAY WITH ME:

My Beloved Jesus, give me a heart that is sensitive to Your voice and the grace to recognize Your voice when you speak. As I patiently await Your guidance, let me not be distracted by other voices. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

• If you've ever been through a season of rest, how did you know when it was over?
• If you've ever missed God or successfully followed Him, what principles and lessons did you learn from those experiences that you can apply in the future?
• When you need to make a decision, do not hurry. Take time to tune and tune again till you're convicted of what direction the Lord will have you go.