The Voice of God Speaking in Love

Every day, we hear a lot of voices. We hear them on the street, on social media, on the news, and on television and radio. Some voices encourage us. Others stir fear, anger, or doubt. And then there are the voices inside our own heads, the ones that remind us of our mistakes and whisper that we’re not quite enough. We are surrounded by voices almost everywhere we go.

But there is one voice that matters more than all the rest. God’s voice is always rooted in love, even when it challenges or guides us.

We hear that voice clearly in the story of Jesus’ baptism. As Jesus comes up from the water, the heavens open and God speaks: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  (Matthew 3:17)

What matters is when this happens. God speaks these words before Jesus teaches, heals, or does anything remarkable. Before Jesus ever does a thing, God makes sure he knows he is loved.

Anyone who has loved a child understands this kind of language. When we say, “This is my child,” we are expressing love, pride, and joy, simply because they are part of our lives and our hearts, and no matter what else happens, that love doesn’t go away. God’s voice speaks in that same way, with love, pride, and a deep sense of belonging.

But this moment is not just about Jesus. It tells us something about how God speaks to all of God’s children. Long before we get life figured out, before success or failure, before confidence or doubt, God’s love is already there. We are not loved because of what we do, but because love is who God is.

That voice has been speaking this way for a long time. In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, God speaks to people who have messed up, who have known failure, loss, and uncertainty. Into that moment, God does not begin with demands, criticism, or correction. Instead, God speaks first with love:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”  (Jeremiah 31:3)

These words are not spoken after people have proven themselves or gotten everything right. Love comes first—and everything else flows from it.

In a world full of noise and judgment, a voice that speaks love is worth listening for. God’s voice tells us who we already are—loved, claimed, and never alone.