Let us consider the greatest hindrance to our ability to hear God speaking to us:

“The Lord cannot work with those who are self-sufficient, and who exalt themselves. Self must be hid in Jesus. If we would see the deep movings of the Spirit of God, we must have the truth as it is in Jesus. The efficiency of a discourse depends on the application of the truth to the heart by the Spirit of God. When Elijah sought God in the mountains, a devouring fire swept by; but God was not in the flame. A tempest rose, the thunder rolled, and the lightnings flashed; but God was not in all these. Then there came a still, small voice, and the prophet covered his head before the presence of the Lord. It is the still, small voice of the Spirit of God that has the power to convict and convert men’s souls.”6

There is the big problem - thinking that self is so sufficient and our need of guidance from God is minimal. “Our greatest strength is realized when we feel and acknowledge our weakness.”7 Oh, yes, it is easy to acknowledge our weakness. Talk is very easy. But to feel our weakness comes from a total surrender to God. He alone can reveal this to us.

“There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable.”8

I have often tried to comfort others with the thought that “knowing you have the problem is half of the battle; the other half is overcoming.” If we can just realize our self-sufficiency, and see how this is what is standing in the way of hearing God’s voice, then we are well on our way to reformation. Actually, I believe seeing the problem is even more than half of it, for we know overcoming it has already been accomplished through Jesus. When He came to this earth as God yet in degenerated human form, He emptied Himself of all power and became totally dependent on the Father even though He could have done everything Himself. Then He gave us power to do the same humiliating act, if only we will just acknowledge it and truly feel the need of it.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

“Where many have erred, was in not being careful in following God’s ideas, but their own. Christ Himself declared, ‘The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do’ (John 5:19). So utterly was He emptied of Himself that He made no schemes and plans. He lived accepting God’s plans for Him, and the Father day by day unfolded His plans. If Jesus was so wholly dependent, and declared, ‘Whatsoever I see the Father do, that I do,’ how much more should human agents depend upon God for constant instruction, so that their lives might be the simple working out of God’s plans! . . .

“Our own way must be overcome. Pride, self-sufficiency, must be crucified and the vacuum supplied with the Spirit and power of God.”9

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

How many people were able to hear God’s voice in the time of Christ?

“When Christ came into the world, darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people. The living oracles of God were fast becoming a dead letter. The still, small voice of God was heard only at times by the most devout worshiper; for it had become overpowered and silenced by the dogmas, maxims, and traditions of men.”10

How many today can truly hear God’s voice?

“When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

As we have read, the still, small voice is the Holy Spirit speaking to our conscience. It can be heard only by those who know that they have nothing in themselves. It cannot be heard by those who feel no need of help from God.

God’s still, small voice is speaking to us today, but as in the days of Christ, only a few can discern that voice. Are we listening? Can we hear His voice?

Let us get into the habit of conversing with, and listening to our loving, heavenly Father moment by moment - seeking Him in every aspect of life. Before we take that step, before we speak that word, before we take that bite or even think that thought, let us listen to His still, small voice speaking to us today, “This is the way; walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21).

Some may think that these things are too small for us to bother God with. But the real problem is that we think we are big enough to handle them.

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. ‘The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy’ (James 5:11). His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds’ (Psalm 147:3). The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.”11

God longs to speak to us. We can hear His still, small voice.

“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).