In our spiritual walk, we are often moved to do things that cause us to wonder whether the impetus to do those things was of Yah or merely of our own heart. To know which way to turn concerning any matter requires spiritual discernment. That is how we hear the voice of Yah, which is so gentle it is almost unnoticeable. But those who are Yah’s are the ones who will hear his voice. The Messianic Writings, in fact, give us the following account in this regard:
1 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 “But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
4 “And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
John 10:1-5
If a thing does not originate from Yah, we as his sheep will know it, for Yah will never lead us away from the path of righteousness in any matter, big or small. If, however, we find that his voice is too soft in a matter, then it falls to us to pray harder for discernment, so that we may know which way to turn. And the truth is, any decision we make concerning all matters in our lives must line up with Scripture, whether it involves making a trip abroad, taking in an event with the family, or purchasing small items. Everything must be according to the will of Yah, or we are in fact listening to “the voice of strangers” in those matters.
First and foremost, our desire to do anything should be in line with Yah’s will, therefore we will automatically remain on the path he has set before us. But it is when we come to a crossroad in our walk, when the path of righteousness appears to split and we seem to see alternate choices, that we need spiritual discernment most. This is the time for earnest prayer. Familiarity with the Scriptures, which we should be meditating on day and night, according to Joshua 1:8,[1] will help to clearly define Yah’s will in any matter. So it is important to read the Scriptures and apply the examples found therein to our own lives, as many, many Scripture passages will inform our daily decisions.
1 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8.)
But again, hearing Yah’s voice requires us to be his sheep, and his sheep are in line with his will. This means that the places you desire to go to should not lead your feet to evil or danger.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:26, 27
23 Yah directs the steps of the righteous. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23
If you feel inclined to listen to music or watch a television program, you will also guard what you hear and see, so that you remain in keeping with Yah’s will.
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
Psalm 119:37
14 “Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry. “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
15 Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
16 These are the ones who will dwell on high.
Isaiah 33:14-16
Examples like this can be found from cover to cover in the Scriptures, but you have to have a willing heart to accept the truth that is found therein. This means having a spirit that is willing to hear and obey in all things. By being in line with the will of Yah, we cannot fail, and our steps will never falter, because his path leads away from evil and is always safe.
17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
Proverbs 16:17
By this alone we will know when we have strayed from Yah’s path, because evil will befall us. One can know almost instantly when they have made the wrong decision concerning a matter. Often things become increasingly and unnecessarily difficult for them, and every effort to correct the situation fails. This is usually what happens when we take it upon ourselves to head blindly in our own direction. Even if Yah has made a promise to fulfill a thing in our life, it takes patience to see that thing fulfilled in its own time. This is called Waiting on Yah, and it is a necessary act in the lives of all believers.
We have many examples in Scripture about people who failed to wait on Yah to fulfill his promises, not least is Sarah, who insisted on giving her handmaid Hagar to her husband in order to fulfill the promise of an heir, seeing she had been barren for some time (see Genesis 16). This action resulted in nothing but bitterness and anguish for all involved, and Sarah was moved to banish Hagar and her son, saying, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac” (Genesis 21:10). All of that trouble resulted from not waiting on Yah.
Then there is Rebecca, who, after being promised by Yah that her older son, Esau, would serve her younger son, Jacob, refused to wait on Yah and instead enlisted Jacob’s aid in deceiving Isaac in order to obtain a blessing that was due only to the firstborn. Now Esau had already sold his birthright to Jacob and Yah would have fulfilled his word without the need for deception on the part of Rebecca and her son Jacob. (See Genesis chapters 25 and 27). The trouble that resulted from this action is also recorded in the book of Jubilees.
So hearing Yah’s voice, and waiting on him, are critical to our spiritual walk. As stated, it takes patience to wait on him, but it is the time between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise that he uses to build our faith as we wait patiently to see his power manifested in our lives.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THESE ARTICLES:
Feedback Form
TESTIMONIALS
Beautifully written. Bookmarked it for future reference. This type of article never gets old especially as we grow in spirit and face new challenges in life.
It is a comforting piece of information that is timeless.
