The voice of God




Exodus 19:16~25 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. (18~19)
 


♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #309 He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought (#444 in previous version)




 We see in today’s Scripture that there was a time in which God replied in person with His voice. This kind of physical presence of God was fearsome for the Israelites (verse 1), and it was a blessing that only a select few chosen by God tasted. The 7 Remnants heard God’s voice and overcame all problems because they held onto the sure covenant. Even in the midst of continuing tribulations and persecution, the members of the Early Church were witnesses of Christ and did not waver in the face of these hardships. How can we hear God’s most important voice in the many problems we face and in the critical time schedules we are in?





1. We must realize the fundamental time schedule
 It was God’s great plan for the enslaved Israelites to be liberated from Egypt, and for them to pass through the wilderness before entering into Canaan. Realizing such a covenant is most imperative in receiving the guidance of God. David sinned before God when he was king, and he considered and listened to the words of the prophet who came to scold him as the very voice of God. When we realize the fundamentals of the covenant we can hear the voice of God in our everyday lives. We hear it with our hearts, not our ears, and come to a realization through our spirits. This is how we begin to connect with the Almighty Lord God.





2. We must listen to the Word of God
 Unlike in the days of the Old Testament, the Bible, which is the Word of God, has been completed. We believe the Bible to be the most accurate and perfect Word of God. We can enjoy a surer and more accurate experience of God through the Word than we can through the physical manifestation of God at a certain moment. The Word existed from the very beginning with God, and the Word is God (John 1:1). Therefore, it is important that we accept the Word as the Gospel of truth rather than an ethical or moral code of conduct. The Word of God is living and active; it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.






3. We must believe in the work of the Holy Spirit 
 When we hold to the Word as our promise, God promises to send His angels before us and behind us to protect us (Exodus 14:19). There is an evil spirit that lures mankind into destruction through idols. That is why the greatest mystery we must know as the people of God is that the Holy Spirit is with those who believe. It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6). The Holy Spirit is the power than allows us to remember and realize the Word of God and works in every aspect of our fields.





● Forum Topic - What is the voice of God, that allows you to understand the Word today? Pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit so that you can daily realize the fundamental time schedule through the Word.




Immanuel Church Sunday Message 1st Service / 2009.7.5