How We’re Learning

by Christine Malkemes

I was in Turkey, working in NATO. I had just come home a little weary. My little son and I were waiting for his father to come home.

I heard someone at the door knocking. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

Lifting up my son and placing him on my hips, I started for the door. Then I froze in my steps. My body still wanted to answer it, but my spirit told me something else.

“Go! Take your son and hide in the closet!”

I hesitated for a moment. Was I hearing it right? Then I remembered: in the past I had heard that voice before – the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

With as much stealth as possible, I moved into the closet, closed the door, and waited. They continued to knock. After about ten minutes they left. I stayed in the closet until I felt peace.

My husband came home, and I forgot about it. I thought I could have been over-reacting and I didn’t want him to think I was living in fear.

The next day, we found what had really happened that night. Terrorists had followed me home, knocked on my door, and when they didn’t get an answer they left and moved to Plan B. They knocked on my co-worker’s door, he opened it and barely survived point-blank gunfire.

The next week, Turkish police found the terrorists’ safe house and came by to let us know what they had found. There were maps and information on me and my family. They had been following us for months.

Thank the Lord, we were safe and sound.

I finally told my husband what had happened that night. He cried from relief and never again questioned that we can hear that still small voice of our Lord.

How to Hear to Obey:

I’ve learned that a daily walk, in God’s word, gives us the ability to hear His voice. Time with Him keeps Him from being a stranger.

He is a God of His word – He kept His promise to me from Psalm 32:8 and 10b, ESV:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you…but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

Obedience! The greatest adventure in the world. When we obey, we’re given treasured moments to see and know God in reality and intimacy.

But this command I gave them: ‘Obey My voice, and I will be Your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:23 ESV

Your Turn:

  • Have you ever heard that still small voice and was moved to obey?
  • Share your story; we would all be encouraged.

Additional Resources:

If you’re interested in developing an everyday relationship with the living God then I suggest the following resources:

  • Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard.
  • The Power of a Whisper God, Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels
  • Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When He Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
  • Hearing God’s Voice by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby