How to hear God’s whisper in a noisy world.

“But the LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

In his book “Whisper,” Mark Batterson explores the profound importance of learning to hear the voice of God. He begins by describing the Tomatis effect. 

Alfred Tomatis grew up in a musical family in France. His father was an opera singer, and he spent much of his childhood traveling with him and watching his opera performances from the wings. At an early age, however, he and his parents decided he was unfit for the stage. So he went into medicine and eventually became an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician.

Soon after he began his practice, his father referred him to opera colleagues with vocal problems. Tomatis soon discovered traditional treatments were inadequate but also that there was very little research on the voice itself. He formulated the theory that many vocal problems were really hearing problems. His theory that “the voice does not produce what the ear does not hear”, is the hallmark of his research and his method. He discovered that the voices of opera singers had damaged their own muscles of the middle ears. With damaged hearing, they were forcing their voices to produce sounds in registers they could no longer hear.

Batterson believes that by learning to hear God’s voice, we can find solutions to 1000 problems, discover our destiny, and fulfill our potential. When we learn to recognize and respond to God’s whispers, our lives are transformed. His whispers bring comfort in times of trouble, guidance in moments of uncertainty, and affirmation in our deepest insecurities. God’s voice can change our perspective, shape our decisions, and direct our paths.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Is God’s voice the loudest voice in your life?

Living in a culture where everyone wants their voice heard, we often find ourselves drowning in a sea of noise. Batterson suggests that the best way to be heard is to listen to God. If we aren’t willing to listen to everything God says, we may eventually stop hearing anything He says.

Lean in to listen, really listen.

Batterson compares God’s voice to a whisper, emphasizing its intimacy. Just as we lean in and draw closer to hear a whisper, God wants us to be close to Him. He shares a touching story of playing a game with his children, where he would whisper to get them to come closer, showing the depth of God’s love for us.  

Your Spiritual Ear is the willingness to want to hear. 

“Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.”Proverbs 2:3-5 When God whispers, He invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. He calls us to obedience, surrender, and stepping out in faith. It is not enough to hear His voice; we must also respond. When we obey His whispers, we experience His blessings and witness His miracles.  

The more I obey, the more I hear. 

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

The Whispering Spot

I remember visiting the capitol in DC as a kid and having the Whispering Spot pointed out. It is a place where acoustically, one can hear voices on the other side of the hall.

Just as there are whispering spots in the physical realm, Batterson suggests there are also spiritual places where we can hear God more clearly. He encourages us to find our own “whispering spot” by seeking solitude, and silence, and eliminating distractions. 

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony begins with an 8th note rest. And we need many 8th note rests in our life to help us understand what God is doing.

Church and Bible school is one of the best whispering spots on earth. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21

The Seven Love Languages

Batterson introduces Howard Gardner’s types of intelligence and emphasizes that God speaks to different personalities in different ways. He urges us not to rely on the way God speaks to others but to seek a personal relationship with Him.

The First Language: Scripture

Batterson discusses the power of Scripture as a language through which God speaks. He shares insights from rabbinic tradition, highlighting the multifaceted meanings of every word. He also encourages the practice of Lectio Divina, combining it with neurological science to enhance our experience of God’s Word.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.(2 Tim 3:16)

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:12) 

The Voice of Gladness – The Second Language: Desires

Batterson emphasizes that our desires can be a means through which God speaks to us. He reminds us that enjoying God’s presence is an indicator of spiritual maturity.  What can we do that makes us the gladdest?…I believe that if it is a thing that makes us truly glad, then it is a good thing and it is our thing.”

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. (Eccl 3:11-12)

The Door to Bythinia – The Third Language: Doors

Batterson explores the role of circumstances and doors in discerning God’s voice. He cautions against relying solely on circumstances and encourages us to interpret signs through Scripture.  

The Apostle Paul began his second missionary journey with his traveling companion, Silas. When they came to Lystra (where the locals had stoned Paul on the first journey), Paul met Timothy, a young man who joined them on the journey.

As they planned their itinerary, the doors began to slam shut.

They tried to speak God’s Word in Asia, but the Holy Spirit forbid them to do so—and slammed the door (Acts 16:6). But why? Wasn’t sharing the Word kind of the whole point? Didn’t Asia need the gospel?

They moved on and tried to enter Bithynia. But again, “The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them” (v. 7). Slam! Sorry, Bithynia, you don’t get to hear God’s Word. But how come?

When Paul and his companions landed at Neapolis, God’s gospel of grace touched a new continent that would spread His Word across the world. In the major city of Philippi, doors kept opening:

The Lord “opened [Lydia’s] heart” to hear the Word of God.

• He opened the prison doors of a jailer’s heart, as well his whole family.
• In opening a door to Europe, God opened European hearts as well.

But What about Asia and Bithynia?

Geography offers us some insight into why God shut the doors to Asia and Bithynia. It all proved a matter of timing, for the doors would blow open in a few years. In fact, the very team the Lord had shut the door on—Paul, Silas, Timothy—would play a major role in God’s plan for Asia and Bithynia.

How?

• Timothy would serve as pastor to Ephesus, a major city in Asia.
• Paul would travel to Asia on his 3rd Missionary Journey; he would even live in Ephesus for several years.
• From his house arrest in Rome, Paul would write to the churches of Asia in his epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians and in his letter to Laodecia.
• Silas would serve as Peter’s secretary in writing 1 Peter “to those chosen of God in … Asia and Bithynia” (1:1).

The reasons for the closed doors of the past became clear: God wanted the gospel in Asia and Bithynia, yes. But He wanted it in Europe first.^[1]

Test Your spirit

• “Goose Bump Test”  The will of God should make your heart skip a beat.
• “the Peace Test” The apostle Paul said, ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.’
• “the Wise Counsel Test.”
• “the Crazy Test.” By definition, a God-sized dream is always beyond our abilities, beyond our logic, and beyond our resources. In other words, we can’t do it without God’s help.”
• “Released-from and Called-to Test.” God will not keep piling on more and more things for you to do. He will also release you from some things if he is calling you to something new.

Dreamers by Day – The Fourth Language: Dreams

Batterson shares his belief in the significance of dreams as a means through which God communicates. He challenges readers to bring their dreams before God, acknowledging the supernatural by-product of being filled with God’s Spirit. 

Throughout the Bible, there are several instances where God speaks to people through dreams. Here are a few examples of scriptures where God communicates through dreams:

Genesis 20:3-7: God warns Abimelech in a dream not to touch Sarah, who was Abraham’s wife.

Genesis 28:10-17: God appears to Jacob in a dream, showing him a ladder reaching to heaven and promising to bless him and his descendants.

Genesis 31:10-13: God speaks to Jacob in a dream, instructing him to return to his homeland.

Genesis 37:5-11: Joseph has a dream where he sees his brothers bowing down to him, which foreshadows his future role of leadership.

Genesis 40:5-23: Joseph interprets dreams for Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker while in prison. These dreams foreshadow their respective fates.

Genesis 41:1-36: Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream about seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, leading to his appointment as second in command in Egypt.

Numbers 12:6: God speaks to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam in a dream, rebuking Miriam for her criticism of Moses.

Daniel 2:1-49: God gives King Nebuchadnezzar a dream that Daniel interprets, revealing the rise and fall of empires.

Daniel 4:4-37: God speaks to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, warning him of his impending punishment and subsequent restoration.

Matthew 1:20-23: An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, assuring him that Mary’s pregnancy is from the Holy Spirit and instructing him to take her as his wife.

Matthew 2:12-13: The wise men are warned in a dream not to return to Herod, but to go back to their own country by another route.

Matthew 27:19: Pilate’s wife sends him a message, saying she had suffered in a dream because of Jesus and urging him to have nothing to do with Him.

These are just a few examples of God speaking through dreams in the Bible. Dreams were a significant means of communication between God and individuals in various situation

Hidden Figures – The Fifth Language: People

Batterson highlights the importance of other people in discerning God’s voice. He explores the concept of putting our ego on the altar and finding our true identity in Christ.

Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

Proverbs 12:15: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Proverbs 13:10: “By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”

Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed.”

Proverbs 19:20: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

Proverbs 20:18: “Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance, wage war.”

Proverbs 24:6: “For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”

Proverbs 27:9: “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”

Proverbs 28:26: “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

Psalm 1:1-2: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.”

Proverbs 1:5: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”

Proverbs 2:6: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Joystick – The seventh language: Pain 
This chapter expands on CS Lewis statement about pain being God’s megaphone to get our attention. “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”” 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Here, God is described as the source of comfort in our afflictions, and through our experiences of being comforted, we can provide comfort to others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Conclusion:

In “Whisper,” Mark Batterson provides valuable insights into hearing the voice of God. Through Scripture, desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and even pain, God speaks to us. By cultivating an intimate relationship with Him and being attentive to His whispers, we can discover our purpose, experience His love, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence. Let us open.

Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God – Mark Batterson https://a.co/d/3raRyvT

^[1] https://waynestiles.com/blog/how-geography-opens-our-eyes-about-gods-closed-doors