(Source from The Word Among Us)

Let us not again hear the voice of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:16)

Addressing the Israelites as they are about to enter the Promised Land, Moses recalls what happened when God was about to give them the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. God announced his presence with lightning, thunder, a deafening shofar blast, and menacing dark smoke (Exodus 20:18-19). Terrified, the people backed away, saying, “Let us not again hear the voice of the Lord!” (Deuteronomy 18:16). They begged Moses to go and bring God’s word back to them!

Now, knowing he was not going to be with them much longer, Moses promises that God will send them someone to take his place, “a prophet like me . . . to whom you shall listen” (Deuteronomy 18:15). What a relief! God promises they will never have to endure the trauma of hearing him directly.

And so it was. In every generation, God raised up prophets for the people. Deborah, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah: these and others heard God directly and proclaimed what they heard. 

But now, through Jesus, the living “Word” of God, everything has changed. By destroying sin and death, he has opened the pathway for us sinners to come before the all-holy God. Now, every single person can know God personally. Every single person can hear his voice—in Scripture, through the Church, and most important, in the depths of their hearts.

You don’t ever have to be afraid of coming into God’s presence! In fact, he is already present in you! Through his Spirit, he is urging you to call out to him, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15). He is waiting to receive you with open arms, to wash you clean in his mercy, and to fill your heart with his joy and consolation.

Your heavenly Father has a message that he wants to speak to you today—a message meant only for you. So quiet your heart, calm your fears, and listen.

“Here I am, Lord! I long to hear your voice today!”