Do you have a Christian friend, or know someone who is always saying “God spoke to me”. Sadly many people like that can tend to be “flakey” and we can honestly think that they are fanatical. We have seen that picture on social media of a man on his knees saying “God speak to me” and out of heaven comes a hand with a Bible in it, suggesting (rightly) that spends time in the Word of God and you will find the mind of God regarding your particular situation. Sadly some Leaders suggest that ONLY (and exclusively) God’s way to speaks to us is from the Word of God.
In the Old Testament we have so many records of God speaking to His people directly, like Moses in Exodus 33:9 NKJV And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and THE LORD TALKED WITH MOSES.
We all love the story of God calling and speaking to Samuel three times, and the wise Eli giving him direction on how to respond.
Again, I love Isaiah 30:21 NKJV Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way walk in it”.
Does the situation change when we come to the New Testament, God wants to speak to His people MORE AND MORE. There is no doubt that when we are born again, and we are under the New Covenant, there seems to be many ways to hear the voice of God., such as:
- Through the preaching of God’s Word.
- Through a Prophetic Word, or another Gift of the Holy Spirit.
- I have mentioned previously “The Harbour lights teaching”and the need for the ship’s captain to line up say 4 lights as he came into a harbour at night, so he could be sure he was in the right channel. And for the Christian for example, if about a matter he has the peace of God, the Word of God agreeing, and the circumstances and Godly counsel all lining up, he can be sure that through these od has spoken to him.
Once again, this is an area where Biblical Discipleship is so important, that when a new Believer feels he has heard the voice of God, he can check with His Mentor and seek guidance. For a new believer it can be very much “hit and miss without guidance, and sadly many get into error because they do not know the unchanging truths of the Word of God.
I am sure teaching a new Believer to “meditate” on the Word of God also helps him to learn to hear God’s voice.
Each time when God spoke to the 7 churches in Revelation we read the words “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.
I believe with all my heart GOD WANTS TO SPEAK TO US EVERY DAY. So prepare your hearts before you pray, see there is no “spiritual wax” (unconfessed sin) in your ears, spend quality time daily reading and meditating on the Word of God, and if you don’t have a Mentor ask the Lord to lead you to one.
Let this be the start of a new awesome time hearing from God. God bless you.