Do we hear?
February 24, 2011 (Thursday)
C.D. Goble, online in Religournal.com/Christianity, wrote, “Millions of people around the world claim to have heard from God; Christians and non-Christians alike claim to have heard from God in some way or another. It is an idea so pervasive that Christians often use words like ‘God told me …’ or ‘God led me …’ to describe a communication they have received from God. It is colloquialisms such as this that often make the non-Christian uncomfortable and their concern is often warranted – let’s face it, a person can use the excuse ‘God told me’ to justify anything, right?”
Does God speak to us? I believe He does. Sometimes He may speak in an audible voice, but I have never heard Him in that way.
The author of the Book of Hebrews in the Bible says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1 NIV). At many times. In various ways. Finally through his Son. What did he mean by those words? How did God speak and how does he speak to us?
God has spoken through the created world. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1 NIV).
God has spoken through miraculous revelations: dreams, visions, voices, and angels.
God has spoken through signs and types, such as the Old Testament sacrifices in worship.
God has spoken through men, such as Elijah and the prophets.
God has spoken through events, like the flood that covered the earth.
God has spoken through the Bible, the record of His self-revelation to us.
God has spoken through his own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our salvation and was raised from death for our justification.
God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, lives within each believer. His presence in our hearts makes all the difference in the world in the way we look at life. His Spirit within communicates with us. We have a dynamic, personal relationship with Him through our faith in Jesus Christ.
The real question is not, “Does God speak to us?” It is, “Are we listening?”