Whisper In The Noise

Nov 21

You know that moment when you're trying to watch something important… maybe the finale of your favorite show and suddenly everyone in the house decides it's the perfect time to vacuum, run the dishwasher, and ask you questions?

That's exactly what happens when we try to hear from God. We want to hear His voice, but there's always something else competing for our attention.

Some of you might even be wondering if God still speaks at all. Maybe you feel like you've been ghosted by God.

Let me be clear… God still speaks today. The question isn't whether He's talking, it's whether we're quiet enough to hear Him.

// God's Primary Voice: The Bible

Before we talk about anything else, we need to establish something crucial: The number one way God speaks is through His Word, the Bible. This isn't just one option out of many, this is His primary voice, and it always will be.

Why is this so important? Because any other way we think we're hearing God must align with what He's already said in Scripture. The Bible is our measuring stick, our filter, our foundation.

Think about it this way: if you wanted to know what your best friend was thinking, would you rather read their journal or try to guess based on random signs around you? The Bible is God's written revelation to us,,His thoughts, His heart, His character, all laid out clearly.

Peter Greig puts it perfectly: "The Bible is God's first language. Everything else is a whisper."

So how do we practically hear God through His Word? Try this simple approach:

READ a passage slowly, maybe 2-3 times
REFLECT on what word or phrase stands out to you
RESPOND by talking to God about what you're reading
REST in silence and let God speak to your heart

The goal isn't to check off a religious box, it's to have a conversation with Jesus. Even five minutes a day with the Bible can tune your ears to hear God's voice. Consistency beats intensity.

// When God Whispers

Let me tell you about Elijah, one of the most powerful prophets in Israel's history. He had just experienced the ultimate spiritual high, calling down fire from heaven in front of 450 prophets of Baal. You'd think he'd be on top of the world, right?

But sometimes our greatest victories are followed by our deepest struggles.

After Queen Jezebel sent him a death threat, Elijah ran for his life. He ended up alone in the wilderness, so depressed he asked God to let him die. Sound familiar? Sometimes after spiritual highs, we come crashing down. Sometimes we feel alone even in a crowd. Sometimes we wonder if God really cares.

Here's what happened next… God told Elijah to stand on a mountain because He was about to pass by. If you were God and wanted to get someone's attention, how would you do it? Maybe a dramatic sign? A booming voice?

Watch what actually happened…

"And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper."

Think about this. God's voice didn't come in the wind that moved the mountain. It wasn't in the earthquake that shook the ground. It wasn't in the fire that lit up the sky. God spoke in a whisper.

We often want God to speak in dramatic ways. We want the billboard with our name on it. We want the random text message that gives us all the answers. But more often than not, God speaks in whispers.

Why? Because whispers require us to get close. Whispers require us to stop what we're doing and listen carefully. Whispers create intimacy. When someone whispers to you, you lean in. You eliminate distractions. You focus completely on them.

// Three Ways God Speaks Today

Remember, the Bible is God's primary voice. But He also speaks in additional ways, and everything we hear through these channels must align with Scripture.

1. Through the Holy Spirit in your heart

You know that moment when you feel a nudge to text someone who's going through a hard time? Or when something inside you says, "Don't post that"? Or when you feel prompted to pray for someone specific? That's often the Holy Spirit guiding you.

These promptings will never contradict the Bible. If you feel "prompted" to do something that goes against Scripture, it's not from the Holy Spirit.

2. Through people and community

God often speaks through the people He places in our lives, mentors, teachers, friends who are following Jesus. As Peter Greig says, "We often hear God best when we're walking with others who are trying to do the same."

A word of caution… Not everyone's voice should carry equal weight in your life. Surround yourself with people who love Jesus and want the best for you, not just people who tell you what you want to hear.

3. Through circumstances and creation

Sometimes God speaks through the beauty of His creation, through silence, through circumstances, and yes, even through painful seasons. This doesn't mean every circumstance is God's voice, and it doesn't mean we should make major decisions based solely on "signs." Everything must be filtered through the Bible and wise counsel.

// Why We Struggle to Hear

If God is always speaking, why do we struggle to hear Him?

CLUTTER – We're constantly bombarded by voices. Your phone buzzes an average of 96 times a day. Social media algorithms are designed to grab and hold your attention. All this noise makes it nearly impossible to hear God's gentle whisper.

CONFLICT – Sin and inner turmoil create static. When we have unconfessed sin or are living in rebellion, it creates interference in our relationship with God.

CONTROL – We only want to hear what we want to hear. We often come to God like we're at a drive-through, placing our order for the answers we want. We can't filter His voice through our preferences instead of surrendering to His wisdom.

// Make Room for His Voice

God is always speaking. He's not ghosting you. He's not too busy to care about your decisions, your struggles, your future. He wants to have a conversation with you.

But here's what it requires… intentionality. In a world designed to distract you, hearing God's voice becomes countercultural. It means choosing silence in a noisy world. It means prioritizing time with Him when you have a hundred other things competing for your attention.

God speaks to those who make room for His voice.

Will you make room for His?

Keep looking up,

Pastor Alan is the lead pastor of Allegheny Center Alliance Church. To find out more about ACAC, go here.

Alan Hannah