Hearing God’s Voice & Knowing His Will
Bill Rudge
Every day we are faced with decisions. Some we must decide spontaneously, such as: What am I going to eat today? What should I wear? Do I stop for this yellow light or go through it to avoid sliding on wet pavement? Other decisions require more time to consider, such as: Where do I go to college? Which job offer should I accept? What house do I buy? These “life-determining” decisions are ones for which I earnestly depend on the Lord for direction – getting on my knees before the Lord so I can stand in confidence and assurance.
Several years ago, I lectured at a Bible college in California on the topic of hearing God’s voice and knowing His will. I shared biblical principles and personal illustrations of God’s leading, and the impossible circumstances He has enabled me to overcome throughout the years.
The Bible college professor, as well as the students, knew I was in the middle of an impossible situation at the time. Our ministry building sat unsold, yet I testified that the Lord had not only led me to sell it, but also to step out in faith that very month –– without any finances –– and begin construction of new facilities. The students and professor were encouraged by my testimony of faith and confidence that the Lord would meet the needs of this endeavor. However, because there was no human way this faith venture could be accomplished without the Lord’s miraculous intervention, the professor said he would wait to see how it turned out.
Almost two years later, I spoke at this Bible college again and shared many of the amazing things the Lord did in fulfilling what He had led me to do. The students and professor were greatly encouraged that, in spite of overwhelming obstacles, the Lord was faithful, and the end result was ultimate victory.
Tell Me God’s Will
I remember when I was a brand-new Christian, I went to Rev. Guy Bongiovanni, a man I greatly respected. I said, “You are so close to the Lord, He speaks to you so much. Would you pray and tell me what God wants me to do?” I wanted a quick, easy, convenient way to get God’s guidance. He said, “Bill, it is your responsibility to seek God’s will for your life. You had better learn right now to get into God’s Word and get on your knees to seek God’s will and know His voice.” Although I was at first disappointed, he taught me a very crucial biblical principle.
This Is Not Sorcery
In sorcery, practitioners attempt to manipulate the spirit world to do their bidding. By using the right rituals, formulas, incantations, or spells, the person attempts to change their circumstances and accomplish their purposes. So, too, many Christians attempt to coerce or force God to give them what they want. Others pray over a Bible and then whatever Scripture they happen to open to becomes their guidance. There are times God may speak to our hearts or confirm something through random searching of the Scriptures, but to use it as the Ouija board or tarot cards is extremely dangerous.
In contrast, a biblical Christian should submit to the Lord’s will through study of Scripture and prayer. God has a plan and purpose for our lives, so our desire should be for Him to fulfill it (Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Romans 8:28).
Our current circumstances –– which we may want to change immediately –– could have a crucial purpose. What happens in me while I am waiting is sometimes more important than what I am waiting for. The waiting and seeking could be a time of refining and purifying; learning trust and perseverance. Therefore, as I seek His guidance, my prayer is that the Lord’s will and timing –– not mine –– prevails.
Be Led By His Spirit
Instead of determining what I want God’s will to be, then hoping He blesses my decision, I seek the Lord with all my heart through prayer, fasting, and reading Scripture. My desire is to be led by His Spirit; to be sensitive to hear, know, and obey His voice.
When I am certain of what He is leading me to do, I step out in faith and obedience, then persevere until He fulfills what He leads me to do. He has always been faithful –– often at the last minute. For instance, the Lord spoke to my heart to write 25 books (14 brand new books and 11 major rewrites) in two years (January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023). It was 11:47 p.m. on New Year’s Eve when I finally completed this arduous endeavor.
I have received hundreds of requests from pastors and missionaries around the world wanting me to come and speak. They write or call saying, “We need you here to minister at a convention or pastors’ conference.” It is impossible to accept all of the requests, but when the Lord speaks to my heart to go, I obey.
Every day, I face dozens of decisions that must be made. It is obviously not realistic to seek the Lord intensely for each of these. I use wisdom and strive to live by biblical principles. James 1:5 says: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” It is amazing how in various situations His Spirit brings a biblical passage or principle to mind or speaks to my heart what to do. There are also many decisions which do not have to be made immediately, and, due to their far-reaching implications, require special consideration. These I put on my prayer and fasting list and keep them there until the Lord gives clear direction.
There are also situations where a crucial decision must be made immediately. All I have time for is a brief prayer for guidance and help. I trust the Lord to help me make the right choice. I strive to base my decisions on such questions as: Is it consistent with biblical truth? Does it honor the Lord? Does it advance His Kingdom?
There are some situations so complex that all I can pray is: “Lord, You know the future and what is best. Please give me wisdom of what to do and line up the circumstances as You desire so that Your will prevails and Your name is glorified.”
How The Lord Leads Me
So, how does the Lord lead me? First, I make a prayer and fasting list of special concerns and ministry opportunities. Then, I consistently and persistently pray and seek the Lord’s guidance concerning where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do. All the while I am saturating my mind and heart with Scripture. I try to have Bible study and prayer three times a day which keeps my heart yielded and receptive to Him. I also have a time of prayer and fasting –– usually one day a week. Every January, I have a time of intense prayer and fasting as I seek the Lord’s will for the coming year.
Whether immediately or after weeks or months, the Lord speaks to my heart concerning various requests on my prayer list. Then, it becomes crystal clear what He wants me to do.
Countless times while reading Scripture, praying, waiting on the Lord, and meditating on His Word, issues I am dealing with and decisions I must make are resolved. I know in my heart this is what I am supposed to do.
Many times, I have sought the Lord concerning a certain decision I needed to make and have received no clear direction. During those times of silence, until He gives me assurance and peace concerning what He is leading me to do, I wait upon the Lord. Just as the Israelites stayed right where they were encamped until the Lord led them to move (Numbers 9:18), usually I stay right where I am until the Lord leads otherwise. This gives me opportunity to pray and ponder the options. However, when He stirs my heart, I am ready to step out and obey.
Circumstances Do Not Deter Me
People have often asked if maybe I should cancel an upcoming mission trip or Holy Land Adventure because of the potential dangers. I responded, “When the Lord leads me to do something, circumstances do not determine whether I change it or not. If circumstances determined my course, my ministry would have ended in its first year.”
As has been proven countless times on all my mission trips and in other faith ventures, God fulfilled what He led me to do. He did some awesome things because I sought His will –– not mine –– and obeyed it. He has honored, blessed, and protected in incredible ways because I have sought Him and His will with all my heart and desired to honor and glorify Him with every aspect of my life.
Once God leads me to do something, nothing and no one can stop me. I will persevere until it is accomplished. He has instilled within me the determination never to give up until what He has led me to do is completed.
Despite frequent and overwhelming obstacles that usually rise up after I step out in faith to obey, the Lord somehow makes a way where there is no way. He has always been faithful to fulfill what He has led me to do, and the end result has always been ultimate victory.
Twelve Most Important Principles
A summary of the principles I adhere to, while seeking His will, follow. They have been shared with many pastors, missionaries, chaplains, and Christian leaders, and are relevant for all believers:
- Saturate my heart and mind with His Word and prayer.
- Have a time of fasting.
- Seek His will, not mine –– I do not try to coerce or force Him to do what I want, but submit by being willing to do His will. God has a plan and purpose for you; so be certain that your plan is according to His purpose!
- Unless a decision must be made immediately, I wait upon the Lord to give clear direction by speaking to my heart or confirming it in some other way, before stepping out on a faith venture.
- Until He gives clear direction, I live by the principles in His Word and pray for wisdom.
- All decisions and guidance must be consistent with Scripture and truly glorify Him.
- Once I am certain of what He is leading me to do and I have His peace, I step out in faith and obedience. I share with others what He has led me to do and testify in advance that He will bring it about in His time and way.
- Attempt to maintain an attitude of faith and trust no matter what my circumstances. I continue to trust and honor Him, even when it seems hopeless, by strengthening myself in the Lord with His past faithfulness.
- I will not compromise my convictions to help my God-given goal to be fulfilled.
- I do not let circumstances deter me.
- Until what He has led me to do is fulfilled and His purpose is accomplished, I never give up but persevere in faith.
- Upon achieving ultimate victory, I testify of His faithfulness.
POSTED IN BLOG, SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND DISCERNMENT, VICTORIOUS LIVINGCHRISTIAN LIFE,DECISIONS,GOD’S VOICE,GOD’S WILL,LED BY THE SPIRIT,SEEKING WISDOM
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