Pause To Hear God

PART 4: Pause To Hear God
Text: 1 Kings 19:11-13, 1 Samuel 3:1-11
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Psalm 46:10 NLT: “Be still, and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10 MSG: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving
look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”
1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told
him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty
windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the
rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the
wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the
earthquake.
12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not
in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle
whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak
and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice
said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

  1. God speaks in WHISPERS rather than in thundering
    voices.
  2. So often we are looking for God to speak to us in the
    spectacular, that we miss His SUPERNATURAL voice in
    the quiet.
    Psalm 62:5-6 NLT
    Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in
    him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress
    where I will not be shaken.
  1. “The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the
    voice of God, drowning out the one input we most need.” – John Mark Comer Psalm 62:5 AMP
    For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits
    to Him, For my hope is from Him. 1 Samuel 3: God Speaks to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-11) Psalm 4:4 NKJV
    Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Mark 1:35 NLT
    Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went
    out to an isolated place to pray. Matthew 14:23 NLT
    After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself
    to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
  2. We LEARN God’s voice in the quiet, so we recognize it
    in the noise. John 10:27 NLT
    My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow
    me. John 16:13-15 NLT
    When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.
    He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has
    heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me
    glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.
    15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said,
    ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ Isaiah 30:21 NLT
    Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,
    “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the
    left.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD’S VOICE

James 3:17 NLT

  1. But the wisdom from above . . . Psalm 32:8 NLT
    The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for
    your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

❖ God’s spoken words will never contradict His WRITTEN
Word.

 1 John 4:20 NLT  

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer,
that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see,
how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

  1. Is first of all PURE . . .

God’s direction will always lead you into paths of holiness.

  1. It is also peace loving . . .

1 Peter 3:11 NLT
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work
to maintain it.

Psalm 85:8 NKJV
I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak
peace To His people and to His saints;

  1. GENTLE at all times . . .

a. God is never going to FORCE you to do something.

b. It’s reoccurring and CONSISTENT.

Malachi 3:6 NLT
“I am the Lord and I do not change.”

Galatians 6:1 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by
some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help
that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall
into the same temptation yourself.

  1. And willing to YIELD to others . . .
    God’s direction is going to ask us to promote others rather
    than promoting ourselves.
  2. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds . . .
    Luke 6:36 AMP
    Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your
    [heavenly] Father is merciful.
    Galatians 5:22-23
    But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
    love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
    faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
  3. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
    Acts 10:34
    Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no
    favoritism.
    FIND PEACE AND QUIET
    Close your eyes – so not distracted!
    Take a couple deep breathes – let go of stress and
    anxiety.
    Don’t ask God any questions.
    Don’t talk about any issues.
    Clear your heart and mind of the clutter –
    Prayer – “Speak to me today Holy Spirit.”
    “Speak, your servant is listening.”