How does God speak today?
Recently, I was visiting a forum where a person asked if it was okay to ask for a sign from God or a prophetic word. I can relate to this question because there have been times when I have really desired a word from God. Maybe something written across the sky or something that would help me to know God's will. I say this, knowing that often God's voice is much more subtle than that. It often takes us time and it takes prayer. How does God speak to us today?
In Hebrews 1:1-2 it says, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." To me, this means that Jesus' message still speaks to us today and it is where our focus should be. Not on seeking additional revelations, but on obeying what He has already said.
There are times I realize when we may want a specific word about what to do or where to go. Do I take this job offer? Do I move to a different home? Do I marry this person? I do think that God cares about those things. But, I think that more than just about what we are doing God cares about who we are. He wants us to focus on things like holiness, purity, humility and patience. He seems to have a different agenda in other words than we do. And unfortunately, these qualities are often worked out in suffering and in trial and in discipleship. Most people want a quick fix, but God tells us instead, take up your cross and follow me.
There are times when God grows silent. I don't know all of the reasons why. I only know that the testimony of many strong believers suggests that it isn't just because of sin that God becomes silent. I heard one man say that when you are a young christian you need God to speak like a neon sign. As you grow older and more use to his voice, you should not need the neon sign anyone. In a mature relationship, often a couple or a friend can say a lot to you with only a look. God wants us to know Him like that. That we know how to respond to him because we are that close.
"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart; Commit your ways to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37:4
In Hebrews 1:1-2 it says, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." To me, this means that Jesus' message still speaks to us today and it is where our focus should be. Not on seeking additional revelations, but on obeying what He has already said.
There are times I realize when we may want a specific word about what to do or where to go. Do I take this job offer? Do I move to a different home? Do I marry this person? I do think that God cares about those things. But, I think that more than just about what we are doing God cares about who we are. He wants us to focus on things like holiness, purity, humility and patience. He seems to have a different agenda in other words than we do. And unfortunately, these qualities are often worked out in suffering and in trial and in discipleship. Most people want a quick fix, but God tells us instead, take up your cross and follow me.
There are times when God grows silent. I don't know all of the reasons why. I only know that the testimony of many strong believers suggests that it isn't just because of sin that God becomes silent. I heard one man say that when you are a young christian you need God to speak like a neon sign. As you grow older and more use to his voice, you should not need the neon sign anyone. In a mature relationship, often a couple or a friend can say a lot to you with only a look. God wants us to know Him like that. That we know how to respond to him because we are that close.
"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart; Commit your ways to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37:4
