12/22/2021
A common question concerning faith today is this: “Does God still speak to us?” It is asked by believers and non-believers alike, and although it sounds innocent enough, it can carry with it dark undertones. This question sows the seeds of doubt. For the believer it is a confession that they are unable to hear God’s voice, and if we are not careful, can justify an unwillingness to seek God’s voice. For the unbeliever It is either a sign they are seeking Him, or a means of undermining those who say they have heard God’s voice… as an argument meant to cast doubt, and a way of leading into a debate over whether God might have separated himself from us… or never existed at all. However, God does speak to us, and He does so in many ways such as in an audible voice, whispers, signs, dreams, visions, miracles, by leading us into improbable circumstances, and through His Holy Word.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
I read of a 1999 Gallup survey in which 23 percent of all Americans had heard a voice, or seen a vision they believed was of God. Now, twenty two years later I believe that many are still hearing God’s voice. If we look at all the ways in which He speaks to us, and open our eyes, and hearts, I think we will find that He is in constant conversation with all of us.
“And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,””
Hebrews 10:15-16 ESV
I have experienced hearing God’s voice, and spoken with Jesus in many ways over the course of my life; sometimes in subtle ways, but at other times in ways that were quite bold. I have written of a few of these in my devotional messages, and one I like to share is the day I went to an inspection station to have my car inspected. I had waited until noon on the last possible day to do this, and typically there is a very long line when you do that. However, as I turned onto the street where the inspections were performed there was not a single car, not one. I pulled into the inspection station and all three bays were open, but one had orange traffic cones blocking it. As I approached a young lady walked out, moved the cones, and flagged me in. There were still no other cars.
I pulled into the bay, and stopped where she directed me. She then walked up to my window where I handed her my money, and vehicle registration. Other than there being no other cars, and me having a feeling that something unusual was happening here, it was a normal inspection. Then things changed… she turned back towards my window and asked “Are you a pastor or something?” I was caught off guard, but responded that I wasn’t. She looked confused and began to walk away before turning once again and asking a second time “So you’re not a pastor?” Again I told her no, but that I was a believer. To this she asked, “so you’re not a priest or something? And I reiterated again “No, just a man.” Then, looking more confused than ever, she said “I dreamed about you last night.” Then she went about her business. All this time there were no other cars… the facility and streets were empty. After handing me my inspection document I thanked her and pulled away. I could see her watching me as I turned onto the street, and immediately a long line of cars approached the building. When I came to the first traffic light I stopped behind a car and as I looked at it I saw that it had a sticker on the back window that reached from one side of the car to the other… angel wings.
God does speak to us, sometimes loud and clear, but at other times in whispers and subtle ways. Have you ever been wrestling with something that is bothering you and suddenly looked up to see a message on a billboard that is the answer you were looking for, or been in prayer, and turned on the radio to hear a spiritual song of affirmation… on a station not dedicated to Christian music? How about dreading a meeting that you know is going to be adversarial, only to walk into the room and find that somehow everyone is in total agreement… consensus has been reached before you spoke a word? God does speak to us today, but we need to be attuned to His voice. Are we ready to adjust our receivers?
“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:25-27 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for speaking to us as we travel through our lives. Thank you for every voice you use to reach us. We thank you when Jesus knocks us down on the road of our disbelief. We thank you for your low still voice as we seek you, and we thank you for roar of the wind which you use to reach us when we are obstinate. Help us Father to be listening always, and to resist those who want to convince us that you no longer speak to us, or that you never did. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who speaks always in wisdom, and with a mighty voice. Praise be your name for every word spoken in encouragement, comfort, and love. You are merciful Father, and lead us always down the paths of righteousness, and into your will, by speaking to us in various ways. We hear your voice Lord, and listen to your Holy Spirit as he speaks to us, and through us. We hear your grace spoken by Jesus, and pray that you will wash us in His blood. Call us your children, call us pleasing to you, and call us worthy in Christ, as you announce us at your eternal table. Let your voice become ours, and your words those we speak and sing to the lost.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV
Rich Forbes