Mankind is unique among God's creations, possessing a voice that, when combined with our mind, allows us to articulate instruction with precision. This voice is a powerful means of communication, conveying intimacy, character, and emotion, as seen in the relationship between Christ and His sheep, who recognize and trust His voice for safety, security, and love. The voice of God, often linked with thunder in scripture, demonstrates immense power, as when the Israelites at Mt. Sinai were terrified by His voice delivering the Ten Commandments, shaking them to their core. Though we cannot literally hear God's voice today, we perceive it through creation, which declares His glory, and through His written word, the preaching of His truth by ministers, events of providence, and our conscience. He expects His children to listen with understanding and apply His word immediately, not delaying repentance. The connection between voice, words, power, and spirit is vital, as Jesus said His words are spirit and life, carrying transformative power. However, there is a challenge in listening to God's voice if there is an unwillingness to let Him reign over us. Such resistance hardens the heart, making it insensitive to His voice and hindering a relationship with Him. The warning in Hebrews underscores the danger of refusing to hear, even as our ancestors did, showing that cherishing our own will over God's can stifle His voice. Faith arises from hearing and believing the Voice of God, often delivered through a duly ordained messenger. This faith, essential for salvation, grows through continuous hearing and belief in the message Christ preached, which He received from the Father. The Voice of God is present in creation, His word, His prophets and apostles, and His ministry when aligned with His word. Our salvation hinges on yielding to this Voice, for as Jesus declared, His words are spirit and life, and rejecting them prevents us from having the faith of Christ within us.

In the journey of Judah Ben-Hur, a profound transformation occurs when he encounters the voice of Jesus Christ. As Judah, consumed by hate and a thirst for vengeance, witnesses the crucifixion, he hears the words of Jesus, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." This moment strikes deeply within him, and he later confesses that suddenly His voice took the sword out of his hand. This powerful experience illustrates the impact of truly listening to His voice, which brings a release from the destructive path of revenge and leads to peace. The essence of this narrative reveals the importance of hearing and believing the voice of the One who speaks. It challenges us to consider whether we are allowing our hearts to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin or if we are truly attuned to His voice. The story underscores that submitting to His voice, and learning to do as He has done, is crucial for experiencing the peace of God in our lives. Through Judah's transformation, we see that following His lead replaces the destructive sword of revenge with healing and peace.

Listening to God's voice is a fundamental aspect of our spiritual responsibility. We are called to hear and comprehend His Word through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which equips us to understand even the deep things of God. The Bible emphasizes this principle repeatedly, with numerous instances urging us to hear and listen to God's commands and teachings. Jesus Christ Himself advises careful consideration of what and how we listen, warning that those who have ears should hear His message. The resurrected Christ reinforces this in His messages to the churches, urging all to hear what the Spirit says. God has much to communicate to us, and as the all-wise and sovereign Lord, it is imperative that we listen attentively. Jesus, as the Logos, the living Word of God, embodies this divine communication, and we are charged to hear Him. Yet, distractions often pull us away, even from good endeavors. Like Martha, who was preoccupied with service, we may miss the greater value of sitting at the Savior's feet to listen, as Mary did. Jesus affirms that Mary's choice to prioritize listening to Him holds eternal significance and will not be taken from her.