Beyond the Burning Bush: Why God Usually Whispers

Beyond the Burning Bush: Why God Usually Whispers 

I used to wish I could hear God's audible voice. Wouldn't that make everything so much easier? No more wondering if it was Him or just my imagination. No more second-guessing. No more faith required. 

"God, I just wish I could hear Your audible voice!" I would pray, picturing dramatic encounters like Moses at the burning bush or Paul on the road to Damascus. 

But then I began to understand something that changed my entire perspective: the louder and clearer God speaks, the more serious it is—and the more accountable we become for our response. 

Maybe God's whisper isn't a sign of His distance. Maybe it's a sign of His intimacy. 

The Weight of Clarity 

When God speaks audibly—when His voice is unmistakably clear and external—it's incredibly serious business. There's a direct correlation between the clarity of communication and the level of responsibility that comes with it. 

Think about Moses. God had previously told him to get water from a rock by striking it. But later, God clearly told him to speak to the rock. When Moses got frustrated and struck it twice instead, God still brought water out for the people. But He told Moses, "Because you didn't believe me, because you didn't treat me as holy, you're not getting into the Promised Land." 

Moses believed God—look at him leading the Israelites through impossible circumstances! But because the communication was that clear and direct, the accountability was equally intense. 

There are so many times in my walk when I've been like, "God, I just wish I could hear Your audible voice." But then I think about the level of accountability that comes with it, and I'm like, "You know what, if You need to, Lord, I'm open. But I think I'm okay with it the way it is." 

Why God Usually Whispers 

Most of the time, God's voice is more like what Elijah experienced in the cave. Remember? There was a great wind so strong it was breaking up mountains. But God wasn't in the wind. Then an earthquake. But God wasn't in the earthquake. Then fire. But God wasn't in the fire either. 

Then there was a still small voice. And Elijah recognized that as the voice of the Lord. 

That's more of God's method of operation. When He speaks to us individually, it's more like a whisper. And I don't mean He's leaning down and speaking in your ear. I mean it's soft and gentle, and He doesn't have to do it externally because this side of the cross, He lives on the inside of us. 

The Beautiful Intimacy 

The way God communicates to us now is very different than how He communicated to people before the resurrection, before the veil was torn, before Jesus paid the price for intimate communion with Him. 

He's closer than our skin. He can actually hear our thoughts and the intents of our heart. He even knows before we know sometimes. And I love the fact that He limits Himself to have genuine relationship with us because He loves us that much. 

That still small voice doesn't have to be outside the cave now. It's actually inside our heart. 

Why Whispers Are Better 

There's something profoundly intimate about God's gentle approach to communication. When someone has to shout to get your attention, it usually means there's distance. But when someone can whisper and you hear them clearly, it means you're close—very close. 

God's still small voice isn't a sign that He's far away or doesn't care enough to speak clearly. It's a sign that He's so close, so intimate with you, that He doesn't need to shout. 

His gentle approach creates safety for authentic relationship. When you know He's not going to overwhelm you or force you into anything, you can open your heart fully without fear. 

Learning to Hear 

In our noisy, demanding world, learning to hear God's whisper requires intentionality. It requires stillness. "Be still and know that I am God" isn't just a nice verse—it's practical instruction. 

You have to expect God to speak. When you approach life believing He wants to communicate with you, you become more sensitive to His gentle voice. 

And it takes practice. Like developing any relationship skill, learning to recognize God's voice takes time. The more you pay attention, the more familiar His "sound" becomes. 

The Revolution of Relationship 

Instead of waiting for burning bush encounters, we can learn to recognize His voice in everyday impressions, gentle nudges, Scripture that comes alive, and the peace that guides our decisions. 

These aren't second-class communications from God. They're the preferred method of Someone who lives inside us and wants constant, intimate fellowship. 

Embracing the Whisper 

So if you've been disappointed that you don't have dramatic encounters with God, if you've been wishing for audible voices and burning bushes, maybe it's time to reconsider what you're asking for. 

The God who could speak with the sound of many waters—whose voice could shake mountains—chooses instead to whisper words of love, guidance, and encouragement directly to your heart. 

His whisper isn't what you settle for when you can't have the burning bush. His whisper is the burning bush—just relocated from outside the camp to inside your heart. 

Listen closely. He's speaking right now. 

I go much deeper into understanding God's gentle communication in my course "Honoring God's Voice," but the most important thing is just starting to listen for His whisper rather than waiting for His shout. He's probably been speaking to you all along. 

Blessings, 
Susan Dewbrew