“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)
In Genesis 8:15, God spoke to Noah. Well, after all, Noah wasn’t going anywhere. He was sitting there in that floating barn waiting for God to tell him what to do next. In Genesis 16:7, God ‘found’ Hagar at a spring in the desert and talked with her (v. 13). Poor Hagar wasn’t waiting to hear from anyone. She was despondent, ready to give up and die. Throughout the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, we find several accounts of God speaking with people.
We wonder what it would be like to hear God speak to us. Sometimes we “wish” he would speak audibly to us. If we ride this dragon too long, however, one of two things occurs. (1) Either we despair and conclude that something must be wrong with us, because we have never had God speak to us. So we give up listening. (2) Or, we become fanatical and claim every sound we hear is from the mouth of God. So we manufacture pronouncements and messages from God.
An unknown author wrote, “God speaks to those who take time to listen.” I have concluded that, in the past, God spoke ‘at many times and in many ways’ because they were listening for him to speak. God communicated with people who wanted to communicate with him. God favored and honored them with a clearer understanding of himself and his plan, while leaving the rest of the world in silence.
Of course, some folks think God only communicates in one specific way. Yet, our God has personality. He has used various methods of communication to convey his message: sometimes by the action of his Spirit, sometimes by dreams, sometimes by visions, sometimes by an audible voice, but mostly by holy men of God moved on by his Spirit. One thing is certain, ‘in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.’
The secret of communicating with God is simple: to talk with him we pray without ceasing; to hear from him we listen to his Son, Jesus Christ. Now we are no longer kept in suspense by whether he will speak to us. We have the assurance that he has already spoken and will continue to speak to us, if we will listen. W
We may rejoice in the complete revelation of God’s will for our lives. When in doubt whether the Son will speak to you, spend time some quiet time with him. When desiring to hear from God, spend time with his Son. Jesus Christ is the most excellent messenger that was ever sent into the world. When I want to know something, I ask him.
Dear Father, thank you for your Son, our Savior and Lord. Thank you for sending your Son into this world to communicate yourself and your message to us. Grant to us a hearing ear. Empower us to listen carefully to your Son. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today and listen attentively to God,