In the past, God spoke to mankind in many different ways.
We find recorded in the Old Testament where God spoke to Adam and Eve in the garden. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He spoke to Abraham and Noah in various ways and many times it just says God spoke, without telling us in what manner. God also spoke through a donkey. God spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus.
God still speaks to His children in various ways and we will hear Him IF we are listening. Though I have never heard an audible voice, I know when God is speaking to me.
Hearing “God speak” means different things to different people and comes in many different forms.
This raises two very important questions that we must consider;
How does God speak to us?
Are we listening for Him?
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
As we read and study God's word, remember that His word is timeless.
When we read the story of Jonah, think about what God is saying to "me" through these verses. The same with Moses, Joshua, David and so on.
There is an answer to all of our problems in the Bible.
Are we listening?
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH SPIRIT LED WRITERS, TEACHERS, PASTORS and OTHER BELIEVERS
Romans 12:6-8 NIV
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
God speaks to us through devotionals, testimonials, lessons and the voice of other believers. He even speaks to us in non-spiritual stories or conversations.
Are we listening?
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 14:26 NIV
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Romans 8:16 NIV
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
The Holy Spirit indwells/lives in every believer, to guide, correct, convict and yes, speak to us.
Are we listening?
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH VALLEYS, TRIALS and CIRCUMSTANCES
Psalm 119:67-68 NIV
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
In all of life's circumstances, God is with us and is teaching us lessons.
Many have become ill, later realizing that God had sent them a "wake-up" call and taught them a valuable lesson in the process.
Many have had their life spared in an accident, later realizing that God had important things for them to do later in life.
I firmly believe that God sent a guardian angel to wake up a 17 year old driver who had fallen asleep and was very close to driving into a ravine at a high speed. Why? He had something for him to do later in life.
Are we listening?
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH ALL THAT HE HAS CREATED
Psalm 19:1-2 NIV
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
Romans 1:20 NIV
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
God truly speaks to us through the miracles of life and the universe. It is before our eyes and ears.
Are we seeing and listening?
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH OUR PRAYERS and THROUGH SPIRITUAL MEDITATION
Romans 8:26-27 NIV
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Through our prayers, God gives us mental images and thoughts. The Spirit leads and nudges us, yet often time we are not aware of it. He also rebukes us, consoles us and comforts us. Prayer is our personal communication with God. It is where we pour out our heart to Him, not worrying about the words we use, or grammar, or topic. We just speak to God from the heart. This is a time when God can and does speak most clearly to us. Are we listening?
GOD SPOKE DIRECTLY TO US THROUGH HIS SON
Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
John 10:27 NIV
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
The most powerful way God has spoken to us, is through Jesus and the cross of Calvary.
I feel it is important for believers to go back to the cross often. We go back to think about the price that was paid and the love, mercy and grace that God extended to us.
God spoke to us through Jesus THEN and He speaks to us through the cross NOW.
Are we listening?
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WHATEVER WAY HE CHOOSES
Job 33:14 NIV
14 For God does speak—now one way, now another—
though no one perceives it.
Remember the donkey?
Numbers 22:28 NIV
28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”
God, the creator of all things can do ALL things.
He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Therefore, He can speak to us through whatever person, animal or means He chooses.
Are we listening?
CONCLUSION
God can speak to us however He chooses.
It could be from a burning bush.
It could be from the mouth of a donkey.
It can be similar to a mighty wind, or a great earthquake. God can speak to us in any of the ways discussed in this lesson and generally it will be in a “still, small voice.”
1 Kings 19:11-12 KJV
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
God can speak to us when we hear someone on T.V. pray or talk about their faith. He speaks to us when we read a devotional or lesson. He speaks to us when we listen to a gospel song. He speaks to us when we are quiet and still, meditating on His word.
Isn’t it a wonderful experience to have one of those “ah-hah” moments when we finally understand the meaning of a scripture, or lesson, or song?
God IS speaking to us.
We've discussed the first question of "how does He speak."
Now, we each must answer the second question individually and with great thought and introspection.
Are we listening?
RVH