THE Voice

Millions of people in Australia are waiting with great anticipation because tonight the winner for "The Voice" Australia will be crowned.  Week after week, contestants have competed in the televised show for the title. What made the show intriguing from other talent-based reality shows is the judges first heard the contestants with their backs turned.  The focus was on the voice, not on appearance or showmanship.  Both judges and the public have weighed in to advance singers to the final four.  Tonight the winner will be revealed, and it's a tight race anyone can win.

As I was reading the Bible last night, it occurred to me that as amazing and talented as those four final artists are, they could never be "The Voice."  They may sing with power, skill, and beauty, but none of them are deserving of the title.  Psalm 68:33-34 reads, "To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. ³⁴ Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds."  Now THAT is the voice!  It is the One who spoke into the void:  "Let there be light!"  and there was light (Genesis 1:3).  Darren Percival or Karise Eden have nothing on God's voice!  His voice does not simply invoke emotion or stir the soul:  God speaks with power to create worlds and destroy them.

The Voice has been an international reality singing sensation.  Every single voice, those who sing beautifully or not, have been created by God.  As Creator, God deserves the glory.  Man tends to make idols of those he admires, but the idols are not worthy of worship.  It is God who has created such beauty and given human beings the capacity to appreciate it.  King Herod was a man who received such glory from men.  As he gave an oration Acts 12:22-23 says, "And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" ²³ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."  No matter how well someone sings or speaks, we ought to bow the knee only before God Almighty.

Another interesting occurrence is recorded after Jesus Christ was baptised in water by John.  Matthew 3:16-17 captures the moment:  "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. ¹⁷ And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  God the Father spoke from heaven, confirming before many witnesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.  If we will tune in on Monday nights at 7:30 on Channel 9 to watch "The Voice," how much more important is it to heed THE Voice of God?  Job 37:5 says, "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend."

What is the voice of a man or woman before God?  He says in Job 40:7-14:  "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: ⁸ "Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? ⁹ Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? ¹⁰ Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty. ¹¹ Disperse the rage of your wrath; look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. ¹² Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; tread down the wicked in their place. ¹³ Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness. ¹⁴ Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you."  Who can be compared to God?  There is none like Him, in heaven or on earth.  No one can thunder with a voice like God!

How gracious and good is God who put on human flesh so He would have a voice which could be heard and understood.  God does not only thunder from the heavens, but gives an invitation of salvation to all people.  John 7:37 reads, "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."  Also in Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  Have you heard?  Listen to His voice today!