A Glimpse – The Gambia

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.

Hearing the voice of God is a central theme throughout Scripture. From the gentle whisper to the thunderous proclamation, God’s voice guides, comforts, and instructs His people. Understanding how to hear His voice is crucial for anyone seeking to follow His will. Here are seven Bible verses that highlight the importance of hearing and recognizing God’s voice.

1. John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Jesus uses the metaphor of sheep and a shepherd to describe the relationship between Himself and His followers. Just as sheep recognize and respond to the voice of their shepherd, believers are called to recognize and follow the voice of Jesus. Hearing God’s voice is not just about recognition, but also about obedience. When we truly hear Him, we follow where He leads.

2. 1 Kings 19:11-12 – “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”

God’s voice is not always found in the loud and dramatic. Instead, He often speaks in a “low whisper” or “still small voice.” Be still and quiet your hearts, creating space to hear the subtle yet profound voice of God. It teaches us that God often communicates in ways that require us to listen carefully and attentively.

3. Isaiah 30:21 – “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

God provides guidance, even in the midst of uncertainty. As we navigate life’s decisions, God’s voice directs us, showing us the right path. This promise of divine guidance encourages us to trust that God will speak to us when we need direction, leading us on the path He has set before us.

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

In the busyness and noise of life, it can be challenging to discern God’s voice. However, by intentionally being still and acknowledging His sovereignty, we create an environment where we are more likely to hear Him speak. Stillness allows us to focus on God and tune in to His voice.

5. Hebrews 3:7-8 – “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.’”

Hearing God’s voice requires not only listening but also being willing to act on what we hear. A hardened heart can prevent us from fully receiving God’s message and guidance. This verse calls us to be open and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

6. Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

We are encouraged to seek God actively, knowing that He desires to reveal deep and profound truths to us. It emphasizes the relational aspect of hearing God’s voice, where we engage in dialogue with Him, confident that He will respond.

7. Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, knocking and speaking. The invitation is clear: if we hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and fellowship with us. This verse highlights the personal and relational aspect of God’s communication, emphasizing that hearing His voice leads to deeper communion with Him.

Conclusion

Hearing the voice of God is a profound and essential part of the Christian life. These verses remind us that God speaks in various ways—sometimes in a whisper, sometimes in guidance, and always with a heart of love. To hear His voice, we must cultivate stillness, maintain a receptive heart, and be willing to respond in faith. As we do, we draw closer to God, following His lead and growing in our relationship with Him.

1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. 2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. 3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

5 ¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

16 ¶ Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. 17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. 18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. 19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it. 20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. 22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. 23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. 24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it . 27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

Sulemani ye ñaameŋo daani

(2 Taarika 1:1-13)

1 Sulemani ye Misira mansa Firawoona dimmusoo futuu ka ke ì teema kambeŋo ti. A ye Firawoona dimmusoo taa a ye a samba naŋ Dawuda la Saatewo* to, fo kabiriŋ a ye a faŋo la buŋo baŋ loo la, ka taa Yaawe* Batudulaa Buŋo*, aniŋ tata sansaŋo meŋ be mururiŋ Yerusalaamu la. 2 Bari moolu tarata sadaaboo ke kaŋ nuŋ batudulaa tintiŋolu* le to, kaatu wo ye a tara le buŋ maŋ loo nuŋ foloo Yaawe tooyaa la. 3 Sulemani ye Yaawe kanu le, aduŋ a ka taama a faamaa Dawuda la yaamaroolu le la. Kuu kiliŋ doroŋ, a ka sadaaboo niŋ cuuraayi siisindiroo ke batudulaa tintiŋolu to le.

4 Mansa taata Kibeyoni ka taa sadaa bo jee, kaatu wo to le mu nuŋ batudulaa tintiŋ baa ti, aduŋ Sulemani ye jani sadaa* wuli kiliŋ bondi wo sadaajanidulaa* kaŋ ne. 5 Yaawe fintita Sulemani kaŋ Kibeyoni siiboo kono suutoo, aduŋ Alla ko, “Feŋ-wo-feŋ daani i lafita ŋa meŋ dii i la.”

6 Bituŋ Sulemani ko, “I ye kanu bambaloo le yitandi i la dookuulaa m faamaa Dawuda la, kaatu a foroyaata i ma, a taamata tiliŋo kono i ñaatiliŋo la, aniŋ a sondomoo tarata looriŋ ite le kaŋ. Aduŋ i ye ñiŋ kanu bambandiŋ baa muta a ye le, aniŋ i ye dinkewo dii a la ka sii a la mansasiiraŋo kaŋ bii.

7 “Aduŋ saayiŋ, Yaawe n na Alla, i ye nte i la dookuulaa ke mansa ti le m faamaa Dawuda noo to, m mu dindiŋo ti ñaa-wo-ñaa, aduŋ m maŋ m bulubaa niŋ m maraa bo ñoo to. 8 I la dookuulaa be moolu le teema i ye mennu tomboŋ, moo jamaa baalu, ì siyaata fo ì te yaatee noo la waraŋ ka konti. 9 Wo to fahaamuroo hakiloo dii i la dookuulaa la ka i la moolu mara, ka ñiŋ noo ka kuu betoo niŋ kuu jawoo bo ñoo to. Kaatu niŋ wo nte, jumaa le si i la ñiŋ moo baalu mara noo?”

10 A ye Yaawe kontaani le ko, Sulemani ye ñiŋ ne daani. 11 Alla ko a ye ko, “Ite ye ñiŋ ne daani, aduŋ i maŋ siimaayaa niŋ naafuloo daani i faŋ ye, waraŋ ka i jawoolu la faa daani, bari i ye ñaameŋo le daani i faŋo ye ka a loŋ kuwo meŋ tilinta. 12 Saayiŋ ŋa a ke le ko i la kumoo ye a yitandi ñaameŋ. Tooñaa, saayiŋ ŋa ñaameŋo dii i la le ka kuwolu bo ñoo to, moo nene maŋ meŋ ñoŋo soto, aduŋ moo nene te a ñoŋo soto la ko ite. 13 Ŋa feŋ dii i la fanaa i maŋ meŋ daani: naafuloo niŋ horomoo bee kafuriŋo i la baluwo bee kono. Mansa koteŋ niŋ i te laa noo la. 14 Niŋ i taamata n na siloolu la, ka n na luwaalu muta aniŋ n na yaamaroolu, ko i faamaa Dawuda taamata ì la ñaameŋ, wo to m be i siimaayandi la le.”

15 Bituŋ Sulemani kuninta, a naata a kalamuta ko siiboo le mu. A taata Yerusalaamu, daameŋ to a loota Yaawe la Kambeŋ Kunewo* ñaatiliŋo la. A ye jani sadaalu bo aniŋ kayira sabatindiraŋ sadaalu, aduŋ a ye domori baa parendi a la dookuulaalu bee ye.

Sulemani ye kiitii koleŋo kuntu

16 Wo koolaa, musu fula mennu mu cakoolu ti naata mansa yaa, i loota a ñaato. 17 Musu kiliŋo ko, “M maarii, ñiŋ musoo niŋ nte be buŋ kiliŋo le kono. N wuluuta wo tumoo ate fanaa be buŋo kono. 18 Bituŋ tili sabanjaŋ luŋo la n wuluuriŋ koolaa, ñiŋ musoo fanaa wuluuta, aduŋ m̀ bee ye dinkewo le wuluu. Ntolu le be ñoo kaŋ, aduŋ moo-wo-moo te m fee buŋo ñiŋ kono, ntolu moo fuloo doroŋ ne be buŋo kono. 19 Bituŋ ñiŋ musoo diŋo naata faa suutoo, kaatu a ye i laa a kaŋ ne. 20 A wulita suutoo teema, a ye n diŋo sika n kara la wo tumoo nte i la dookuulaa, be siinoo la. A ye a landi a sunjoo daala, a ye a diŋ furewo landi n sunjoo daala. 21 Kabiriŋ n wulita subaa ka n diŋo suusundi, ŋa a je ko a faata le. Bari kabiriŋ ŋa a koroosi kendeke soomandaa, a koyita le ko a maŋ ke diŋo ti ŋa meŋ wuluu.”

22 Bari musu doo ko, “Hanii, diŋ baluuriŋo le mu nte taa ti, diŋ furewo le mu ite taa ti.” Foloo ko, “Hanii, diŋ furewo le mu ite taa ti, diŋ baluuriŋo le mu nte taa ti.” Bituŋ ì ye ñoo saba mansa ñaatiliŋo la.

23 Bituŋ mansa ko, “Moo-wo-moo ka a fo ko dindiŋ baluuriŋo mu ate le taa ti aniŋ ko dindiŋ furewo mu doo le taa ti.”

24 Wo to le mansa ko, “Ali hawusaroo* samba n ye naŋ.” Bituŋ ì ye hawusaroo samba naŋ mansa ñaatiliŋo la. 25 Mansa ko, “Ali dindiŋ baluuriŋo fara fula ti. Bituŋ ali si farandaŋo dii kiliŋo la, farandaŋ doo ali ye wo fanaa dii doo la.”

26 Bari musoo meŋ diŋo be baluuriŋ, balafaata a diŋo ye baake, a ko mansa ye ko, “Dukaree m maarii, dindiŋo baluuriŋo dii a la. Dukaree kana a faa!” Musu doo ko, “A te ke la nte taa ti waraŋ ite taa. A fara teema.”

27 Bituŋ mansa diyaamuta a ko, “Ali dindiŋ baluuriŋo dii musu foloo la. Ali kana a faa. Ate le mu a baamaa ti.”

28 Banisirayila moolu bee ye ñiŋ kiitii kuntoo moyi le mansa ye meŋ ke, aduŋ ì naata mansa muta ka a kuliyaa aniŋ ka a horoma, kaatu ì ye a je le ko Alla la ñaameŋo le tarata a kono ka tooñaa taamandi.

1 Kings 3