God and His Speaking Voice
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! (Genesis 1:1, 3)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. (John 1:1-4)
Jesus only spoke what His Father told Him to say!
…for our parenting “to be one voice”…
The grand narrative of the Bible begins with God creating His universe. God created the world, day-by-day, in an orderly fashion. The Scripture also shares how God created, “And God said…” The purpose of God put mind (God the Father), breath (God the Holy Spirit) and sound (God the Son) in motion to verbalize His beautiful creation into earth existence.
Yet, the story of God speaking and creating had just begun! God, centuries later, would also speak salvation through the sending of His only begotten Son as the Word. (John 1:1-3) Jesus’ advent, life, and mission accomplished on the cross and in His bodily resurrection declared God’s climactic act of reconciliation to restore humankind for relationship with Himself.
When Jesus was like us in human flesh as the Word, He knew that what one says is very important. Jesus wanted us to know that what He spoke was exactly what His Father wanted spoken.
For I have not spoken from my own authority, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Thus the things I say, I say just as the Father has told me. (John 12:49-50, NET)
The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds. (John 14:10)
And the word you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me. (John 14:24)
…because I have given them the words you have given me. (John 17:8)
Wow, think about that…to follow Jesus’ example you and I would only speak what God leads us to say! (see John 12:49-50)
God speaking and the importance of what He says carries a lot of significance toward our lives and into every facet of our lives. What He says still brings life and love to us. Therefore, if God is a speaking God, listening to God is imperative. As a follower of Christ we are to look and listen for God daily. When reading the Scripture not only do we read the ink on the page, but we read with spiritual ears to truly hear what the God of the universe is wanting us to know and receive.
There is no greater life context of needing God’s present tense voice than in family. For marriages and parenting, the great need is to know that God is wanting to speak words of love, care, correction, and guidance into our family relationships. Hearing God’s voice can remove the guessing game of parenting.
During our church ministry days in Oklahoma, God provided a precious and powerful moment. As I was about to leave for a week to attend seminary, when our three sons ranged in age from elementary to high school, Samantha shared her heart’s cry for our parenting. She wanted it to be “one voice” even while I was away at school. She wanted her instructions and corrections to be consistent with how we would parent if we were both there. This working together to be Shema parents became a valuable asset in parenting and a blessing of unity and security for our sons.
Indeed, God’s voice to help us in parenting is a one-voice Source of grace and truth. As Christian parents, we can depend on Him to be the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and yes, what a special joy it is to have His consistent speaking voice as our necessary guide through the Bible, prayer, and circumstances. Knowing God has spoken and guided provides such a strong confidence in spiritually nurturing our children in the ways and commands of God.
This is where the discipleship study Shema Parenting can be a great benefit and encouragement for Christian parents. For those who want to nurture their children not only more confidently spiritually with good moral instruction but also through God’s active, daily presence and voice the Shema Parenting content can help.
Let’s not waste another moment depending merely on our best effort without what God has so richly provided…experiencing His speaking voice that creates confident parenting with true life and real love!
