God Speaks through His Word

After saying that he would "watch to see" what God had to say to him (Hab. 2:1), God spoke to Habakkuk and said, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it" (Hab. 2:2). God's word is written so that we may read it and be empowered by it to run the race of faith. Through the word we hear God's voice, that "still small voice," and receive His guidance. God speaks to us to direct our path and to bring glory to Himself through us.

The Psalmist said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). For God to accomplish His purpose in our life, we must be still and listen for His voice as He speaks through His word. Knowing that God speaks is a start. But we must hear His voice, we must hear God's call if we are to follow Him and live for Him. Paul said, "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). God speaks through Christ in us to accomplish His purpose.

God spoke to the Apostle Paul in a vision: "Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city'" (Acts 18:9-10). Visions were not uncommon in Bible times. The Lord God often spoke to His servants through visions. But even through the visions, God spoke quietly to the heart.

In addition to Paul, we saw that God spoke to Habakkuk in a vision. He told Habakkuk to "write the vision" (Hab. 2:2). God spoke to Abram (Abraham) in a vision: "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward'" (Gen. 15:1). God spoke to Israel, that is Jacob, in visions: "Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, 'Jacob, Jacob!' And he said, 'Here I am'" (Gen. 46:2).

Visions and dreams are closely related. In the book of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite spoke of "disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men" (Job 4:13). "Deep sleep" would be that time of night when men have dreams. God speaks to His faithful servants through dreams. Visions would be similar; except they are often experienced during the day while awake.

In today's world, receiving messages from God through visions and dreams is rare and unusual. But no matter what method God uses to speak, He still speaks directly to your heart and mind with that "still small voice." In each case, we need to go to the word to confirm the message. It is primarily through the Bible, the word of God, that He speaks to us to reveal His purposes, His designs, and His plans. Amen.

How God Speaks

How does God speak to you? With Jeremiah, God spoke to his heart. "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations'" (Jer. 1:4-5). Did God speak to him verbally? It could be that He did. Many people certainly assume so. What the text says is "the word of the LORD came to me," not "and the LORD said to me." So it may be that God's word was quietly placed upon Jeremiah's heart and mind, not unlike how God often speaks to us today. "A still small voice," like the voice Elijah heard.

Then there was Balaam, prophet for hire. When he was not listening to God, at just the right moment, God spoke to him through a donkey—that's right, a donkey! (Note: Num. 22:22-33). Can you imagine? Balaam had to be beside himself, thinking he was out of his mind! It certainly got his attention. His story is found in Numbers 22 through 24.

Balaam did not run and hide, but he did stray from God. He sought to do his own thing for the sake of money, but God pursued after him to stop him from violating God's trust. God made certain that Balaam did as He instructed, not as Balak wished. In the end, Balaam found that he could not curse Israel as king Balak hired him to do, but instead, he could only bless the people of Israel as God instructed. Offering to turn back (Num. 22:34), "the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, 'Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak'" (v. 35).

During the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the Pharisees complained about the many disciples declaring Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus said, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke 19:40). Nothing is too much for God. Stones are inanimate objects. At least Balaam's donkey was a living, breathing, beast of burden! God used the donkey to get his attention. And it certainly worked. As mysterious as it was, God was calling. And suddenly, Balaam was listening.

Lately in this blog, our Bible Insights have been all about hearing the call of God on your life. Do you hear His call? Do you understand His purpose for your life? When God speaks, are you listening? From the day you are saved to the day you die or are raptured and go to heaven, God's call is on your life. Hearing His call in every area of life is what is important. Be still and listen for God's "still small voice." Amen.

Forever Changed!

Consider the story of the Apostle Paul's conversion. His original name was Saul. He is first introduced to us at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:58b, where we are told that, "the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." The next thing we hear about Saul is found in Acts 8:3, which says, "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison." The disciples scattered and "went everywhere preaching the word" (v. 4). And Saul was never far behind.

In Acts 9:1-2, the persecution begins to escalate: "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem." Then the fireworks begin!

"As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'" (vv. 3-4). The Lord certainly had his attention! "And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do'" (vv. 5a, 6).

Now things really get interesting. "And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one" (vv. 7-8a). Saul was blinded by the bright light of Jesus, so his men "led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank" (vv. 8b-9).

"Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias" (v. 10a). Then in a vision, the Lord said to Ananias, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight" (vv. 11-12). After some discussion because of who Saul is, the Lord said to Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake" (vv. 15-16).

Ananias went and laid his hands on Saul saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 17). And the Lord worked a miracle. "Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized" (v. 18). The Lord had Saul's attention and changed his life. "So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus" (v. 19).

That is how the Lord works. He does whatever He has to do to get your attention, and then He works a miracle in your life to accomplish His purpose. As with Saul, He wants you to trust Him by faith and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Then He will lead you in the way He wants you to go. Have you trusted Jesus with your life? Are you following Him in whatever way He is leading? I pray you are. Amen.