Hearing God’s voice can be hard in the sea of technology and all the things yelling at us for attention. We make it so complicated when really it is simple. How can you know it is Him? Trust me, it is easier than you think.

As a little girl I knew my parents by the way they looked, how they spoke, and even what they did. No matter your age, we recognize characteristics. It is the same way with God. When Christ walked on water, in Matthew 14, the disciples believed He was a ghost till they recognized Him by what they knew to be true, specifically His characteristics. Peter questioned and said to Christ, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (v.28). Christ replied, “Come!” (v.29).

Now, it can be harder for us as visual beings to not have a physical presence to recognize but we can still apply the same method today.

Recognizing His characteristics means we need to know more about our unchanging Lord.

Two things help us understand Him because He is unchanging 1) we can look at our past experiences with Him. 2) His Word is not only always consistent but who He is can be found there.

A video is going around Facebook where a little girl is playing peak-a-boo with her dad. She is probably a year old and her dad has a beard. Despite this being a fashion trend right now, I don’t personally get the lumberjack look but that’s me…anyway… When he shaves his beard and reveals this while playing their game she starts crying hysterically. Why? Because the main characteristic she knew was gone. She no longer recognizes him.

Aren’t we like this little girl? Thankfully God does not change His characteristics so we don’t have to worry about this with Him. We can rest in the fact that the God who parted the Red Sea is the same Lord with us today. The same Lord who healed and comforted the blind and broken is still ours today. The same power and same love that took on death still calls us to Himself. How amazing is that?

When you want to distinguish if it is God the only way to know is through knowing Him. Getting to know Him through His Word.

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (NASB)

We can be confident in His consistency and faithfulness that His Spirit, the Holy Spirit that is within every Christian will not place fear in us but instead power, love, and discipline.

If it is inconsistent with His Word, it is not Him because He is the same FOREVER.

Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (NASB)

Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers, the flowers fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” (NASB)

He is faithful to Christ followers.

2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

He is LOVE!

1 John 4:8, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Whatever it is today you are struggling with, God is with you. His Holy Spirit is within you if you are a believer in Christ and have confessed your sins to Him.

God will never leave you.

Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (NASB)

He gives strength and courage not fear or anxiety. If you are feeling fearful, it isn’t from God. The more you know His characteristics the more easily you will know His voice and direction. He will not contradict Himself.