“…and his voice was like the roar of many waters.”
Revelation 1.15

Have you noticed that certain voices seem to carry more weight or “gravitas” than others? When I think of famous voices, the first name that comes to mind is James Earl Jones—the actor who did the voice of the original Darth Vadar in Star Wars. He could read a simple grocery list, and people would be on the edge of their seat.

The sound of someone’s voice can be an incredibly powerful force in our lives. It can make you cringe and cower; it can lift you up and inspire great things. A mother’s voice can bring peace, comfort, and calm to their child when others cannot. A father’s voice can instill confidence and security no one else can. Or think about that special man or woman whose voice became like sweet music to your ears; a voice you found it hard to say “no” to.

Voices can have a captivating power in our lives. The Apostle John describes Jesus’ voice “like the roar of many waters” (Rev 1.15). Imagine Niagara Falls—that’s the roar of many waters. That’s a powerful voice! Later in Revelation, Jesus, says:

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. Rev. 3.20

Most people hear this familiar verse and think immediately of an invitation to people who don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus. I too think it’s a wonderful and effective illustration for that purpose. But I also realize that Jesus was speaking to people in Laodicea who were already Christians. And so, this represents much more than a one-time invitation. It’s an invitation to a lifelong journey of learning to recognize and respond to Jesus’ voice, which ultimately results in intimate communion with Him.

I still remember the first time that I experienced God speaking directly to me. It was a personal word that spoke straight to my heart and stirred something deep inside of me. I felt seen, loved, and understood in a way I had never felt before. It wasn’t an audible voice if you’re wondering. God used someone else’s voice (as He often does)—another follower of Jesus who had learned to recognize the most captivating Voice in the universe.

In John 7, Jesus made this extraordinary claim: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit…” The mighty waters of Jesus’ voice have a unique capacity to stir up living waters inside us. His voice is uniquely equipped to bring out the best in us.

Think about those disciples who sat at Jesus’ feet, listening for hours as time fled by without notice. His voice washed away the dirt and debris of sin and shame, stirred up things that had lain dormant, brought fresh water to dry places, and broke down doors to what had seemed impossible.

This is the Voice I want to listen to. This is a Voice I don’t want to miss.

Lord, teach us to recognize Your Voice reaching out to us in our everyday lives and inviting us to draw near. Let the mighty waters of Your Voice wash away what doesn’t belong and stir up the best in us!