DeVern emphasizes the critical importance of hearing and understanding God's voice in the life of believers. He begins by recalling the need for an enlarged vision of God's work, urging Christians to live within God's larger framework and allow His Spirit to expand their inner understanding. Moving forward, DeVern highlights that God's voice varies depending on the individual, occasion, and spiritual condition. He discusses how God speaks differently to the ungodly, sinners, scorners, wicked, and the righteous, each with a unique approach suited to their state. For example, God remains largely silent toward the ungodly and those who deny His existence, while He shows compassion to sinners and calls back the backslider with love. DeVern stresses that fellowship with God is dynamic and can be broken through various forms of backsliding or loss of intimacy, but God's voice remains available for restoration. He underscores the importance of discerning God's specific, timely voice rather than relying solely on past experiences or general messages, warning against the danger of substituting God's personal guidance with recorded sermons or tapes. Ultimately, DeVern calls believers to cultivate a sensitive ear to God's current voice, to walk in fellowship, and to be His voice in the world, trusting that God's communication is tailored to each moment and condition.
DeVern stresses the vital need for believers to hear and understand God's voice.
He discusses how God's voice varies according to individual spiritual states and circumstances.
Different groups—ungodly, sinners, scorners, wicked, righteous, backsliders—each experience God's voice uniquely.
God is largely silent toward the ungodly and those who deny His existence, showing patience and silence.
He shows compassion to sinners and calls back the backslider with love and mercy.
Fellowship with God can be broken through backsliding or loss of intimacy, but restoration is always possible.
DeVern emphasizes the importance of discerning God's specific, current voice rather than relying on past or recorded messages.
He encourages believers to develop sensitivity to God's Spirit, to walk in fellowship, and to be His voice in the world.
Trusting God's tailored communication, believers can experience deeper fellowship and spiritual growth.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.