So, What Did He Say?

Religion

I have written about the polarization that occurs when someone professes to hear from God. I suggested there are at least three groups: those who doubt the possibility that God speaks, those who want to know what God said, and those who wish God would speak to them.
This is hardly the forum for a discussion (or monologue) about the reality of God. So, as I direct my comments to those who doubt that God does indeed speak to His people, I presume to address only those who acknowledge the existence and personality of God. And my comments are only designed to aid an honest seeker, not to convince a predisposed skeptic.

To begin with, we have the clear witness of Scripture, in which we have almost innumerable accounts of God clearly speaking. Beginning with Adam’s discussions with God while in the Garden in Eden, we learn that God apparently delights in conversations with His people.

Throughout Biblical history, God spoke often and clearly. It shouldn’t be necessary to give specific examples to any student of Scripture; even casual readers know of the burning bush, Joshua’s Captain of the Hosts, little Samuel’s nighttime calling, Paul’s Damascus road confrontation. But those instances are multiplied in the pages of the Bible.

Not only does the Scripture give these numerous examples, but its writers clearly indicate that such communication between God and His people is encouraged and to be expected. Passages like Isaiah 30:21 (And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”) promise that God will clearly provide direction – which is one reason God speaks – to those who genuinely seek to please Him. Such communication between friends is normal; it is not spectacular, flashy, or showy. It is often very private; it is certainly not something done to impress others.

Just as it was to be the normal experience of God’s people in Biblical times to hear God’s voice, most Christians throughout history have continued to consider it normal to hear God speak. Untold numbers of books, pamphlets, articles, and sermons have given insight into the experiences of Believers who routinely hear God’s voice. Most often, these Believers share their experience without fanfare, without even considering it unusual or noteworthy to their listeners. Isn’t it normal for those who know one another and who have genuine interest in one another to converse? And are not God and His people in such a relationship? Didn’t Jesus call His followers His friends, and invite them to speak to His Father about the events of their lives?

Today, as we go about our daily routine, we should be sensitive to the leading, the direction, the cautions – the voice – of the Lord. We don’t need to pray about some decisions: Should I lie in my business report? Wouldn’t I impress people more if I lived in that house than in the small but adequate home I have? Those kinds of questions have been firmly answered in the Book that God has given us. But if we invite God to help us in routine matters, with no agenda other than to learn to hear His voice, we may learn to hear Him and communicate with Him in a whole new way. There are many situations where there is no right or wrong, but where we can simply ask direction with a willingness to respond to the Lord’s voice: Father, should I call now or later? Should I turn right or left? Is this the time when I should act?

By inviting the Lord into the details of our life and responding appropriately, we can learn to hear His voice.

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