There seems to be considerable confusion in hearing the voice of God when it comes to mission.

The statistics of where missionaries are, or more correctly are not, the ongoing neglect of the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh … worlds, that it takes so many believers to support 1 missionary on average, or in the case of organisations like ywam, so many schools and students to see one go as a long term missionary, especially to the most needy places and people, that so few who attend a short term outreach go on to be long term missionaries … indicate that there is something wrong with our understanding of how God speaks, or what He is actually saying, or our obedience. Or some combination of these.

Paul himself had considerable confusion in hearing specifics, but no confusion in his obedience.

Paul does not seem to ask God what is the next step in what he is to do. His understanding of God, his “hearing” the voice of God seems to have 3 levels.

Paul knew his Old Testament. From this he knew the heart and character of God. He knew what was on the heart of God for His whole creation. Paul quotes OT passages in Romans 15, Galatians 3 to show that God was interested and concerned for all people and cultures; not just the Jews. The promise to Abraham (Gen12) had to do with the world, not just Abraham’s biological descendants. Paul was anchored in the Scriptures and their testimony of God’s purposes. Especially in that all the cultures of the Earth are to be blessed.

Paul knew the destiny of God on his own life. This was his 2nd level for hearing the voice of God, his guidance. His conversion on the Damascus Road had been spectacular. But Paul’s purpose, spelt out for his life had been very simple indeed. Paul went on to live out his life within that guideline. He was unshakable in completing that destiny (call) as he understood it. He submitted his life to this “call” and to his understanding of God’s purpose. In Rom 15-16 Paul tells of his real purpose;

            To be a minister of Christ Jesus in the priestly service of the

            Gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable,

            sanctified by Holy Spirit.

Regardless of doubts and difficulties, this never changed. In Rom 15-18 Paul tells

            I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has

            accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what

            I have said and done …

Paul submitted to God his plans for action, emphasising his personal desire to proclaim Christ where no one had (vs 20).

At the end of his life Paul could proclaim (2 Tim 4-7)

            I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Paul had to know what was the fight, to have fought it. What was the race to have run it. What was the faith to have kept it.

Paul’s 3rd level is the one we emphasise. The day in hearing the voice of God.