Your own hearts will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
Whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)
Mockers of Christianity argue that we misinterpret auditory hallucinations as religious experiences. They don’t seem to get how a God as big as we claim (even if he exists at all) would speak to humans.
God prioritizes relationships. One could view the salvation story as God bringing man back to his original status with God – as friends. It is common knowledge that regular communication is the key to building and sustaining any relationship. Understanding these, why should anyone be surprised at the idea of a God who speaks to his children?
I believe without a doubt that God speaks. Since the Bible doesn’t directly deal with all the practical issues of life, it would really suck if that was the only way God got through to us. I don’t remember the quote vividly, but it goes like, “The Bible doesn’t tell us all that we want to know; it tells us all we need to know.” I agree.
In this journey of life, we are bound to get to crossroads. The crossroads might be challenges and situations we need “expert advice” to get out of. For a God who respects the human will, he doesn’t force his will on us; he lovingly suggests a way out. Obeying his voice is up to us.
Jeremiah 6:16 NLT reads;
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”
When we get to the crossroads of life, God expects us to ask him for the old godly path and walk in it, because he will show us (Jeremiah 33:3). Unsurprisingly, God speaks to us in diverse ways:
1. He can speak to us audibly like he did with Samuel (1 Samuel 3:4-14).
2. He can also speak to us through others, like he did with King David (2 Samuel 12:1-14).
3. Of course, there’s the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12, 13).
4. God even speaks to us through nature (Psalms 19:1-4) and animals (Numbers 22:28-31).
Don’t think God speaking to humans was a privilege only Bible characters enjoyed. If God spoke then, he would speak now. God speaks to us. What happens is that we drown out his voice with the noise of our “busyness.” It could be that God is waiting for us to give him our undivided attention before he speaks. When Moses encountered the burning bush, God never spoke until Moses turned aside (from tending the sheep) to see what was really going on (Exodus 3:4). Attentiveness is the key to hearing God speak. God’s always speaking to us. If only we’d turn aside from our distractions and focus on him, we’d hear him.
How badly do you want to hear God speak to you? It could be that you are waiting on God to speak, but could it be that God is waiting on you?
painting: “God Speaking” by Michael Dust
Seeking to glorify God in any way possible.
“It could be that you are waiting on God to speak, but could it be that God is waiting on you?”
Absolutely! I totally agree. He is always speaking.