I’ve read in the bible and heard from many other sources that God communicates with humans in many different ways. It isn’t always obvious when this is happening and very few of us have heard God speaking to us directly, although there are many recorded incidents of this happening, especially in the Old Testament.
From the many “God-incidences” which have happened to me throughout my life, and particularly more recently since I came back to Christianity in 2016, I am now very much more aware when I believe I’m being given some sort of sign. I’m now able to link these signs together with particular circumstances.
For instance, in 2019 a friend and I got lost in her car in the centre of Birmingham, not helped by the huge amount of diversionary signs while they were doing roadworks. Despite her having a satnav, we just kept going round and round in circles – literally!
Thanks freeimages.com
At the last attempt, my friend said if we did not find the correct road this time round then we were going back to Manchester! Amazingly, we went down one particular road and, low and behold, there was her surname over a corner shop and an arrow pointing to the actual road which we needed. We were both speechless!
Similarly, when my husband and I visited Panama City, I was in a lot of pain from a very sore little toe. It caused me to hobble; I could hardly walk and I was on the edge of tears. We went into four local chemists to ask if they had any toe protectors to cushion the little toe from pressure. Apart from the language difficulties, none of them could help with what I was looking for. We then went into a small church for my husband to take some photographs. While he was doing so, I came across a statue of Jesus. I prayed to the statue and asked for pain relief. Incredibly, the next chemist shop we came to had exactly the toe protector I needed!
I’ve also recently had what I consider signs that God is communicating with me in the way of numbers. In one instance, I was watching a television programme which was partly based in a police station. I could hardly believe it when I saw that one of the police officers was wearing shoulder epaulettes with exactly my credit card PIN number on. Similarly, on a Greek holiday earlier this year, we came across a motorbike which had the registration letters HAT (part of my surname) on and my three life-long lucky numbers! Most of the vehicle registrations in the area were completely different and nothing like this. What’s the chance of these two numerical coincidences happening when you consider the multitude of number combinations?
People might not think these happenings to be “signs” but, to me, along with the many other “God-incidences” which have occurred, they are real. They give me much confidence that God is communicating with me which helps to reinforce my faith.
Graham – Do you think that God communicates with us? Have you ever experienced any incidences which you thought were “God-incidences”? What other ways do you believe that God contacts us?
Rev Graham replies:
It is fascinating, Carol, to contrast peoples experiences and interpretations of a reality or fantasy of God speaking and revealing His presence which is true for one yet not for another!
Disputed Speak
I think for those who do not believe in God or any spiritual superpower, they would have experienced some form of supernatural power or presence in their own life situations. Thanks freebibleimages.org
A number of scientists theorize that the world is just physical and devoid of any spiritual power or supernatural presence.
If that was truly the case, then the majority of people in the world who do believe in some form of Godly speech and presence have to be considered ignorant and deluded by having a personal faith in God.
Yet in the experiences of many Christians, and those of other faiths and creeds, there is a yearning and quest to hear the voice of God speaking in a very direct or indirect way to our human situations and aspirations.
God Speaks
In the stillness and chaos of life, many individuals have heard some form of voice or instruction which they feel has applied directly to their circumstances. Writers, poets, singers, scientists, engineers, teachers and preachers testify to being guided and instructed by an audible voice or a mysterious presence that is interpreted as the voice of God speaking to them. I have personally experienced the voice of the Lord speaking to me quietly and loudly which has affected my decisions and outcomes for myself and my loved ones.
In the Bible we are able to read about God speaking from the book of Genesis to the nation of Israel and through the words of Jesus Christ which brings both judgement and guidance for everybody during their earthly travels.
A dialogue takes place in the Garden of Eden which includes Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) then Cain (Genesis 4: 9-15) and very specifically with Noah and his sons (Genesis 6: 5-10). God speaks to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis: 18) and twice to Hagar (Genesis: 16).
In Numbers 22: 21- 39 we read of God speaking to Balaam through the voice of his donkey. In another instance God spoke to the prophet Elijah not through the great wind, earthquake or fire, but by a very gentle breeze as found in (1 Kings 19:1-18).
We have the well-known accounts of the Lord speaking to Moses through the Burning Bush in Exodus 3:1-5 and on Mount Sinai through a thick cloud Exodus 19: 9.
Post Pentecost Speak
Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirt at Pentecost, Christians were able to hear and discern the voice of God speaking to them in very personal ways for example as found in Hebrews 3 7-11 “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”.
There is a promise that, when we find ourselves in trouble, God will give us words to say to help us in that difficulty (Matthew 10 19-20). In other situations “the Spirit of truth will guide us into all truth and tell us what is to come” (John 16: 13).
In the early church, believers were worshipping and fasting together and the Holy Spirit spoke to them giving instructions for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for a particular ministry (Acts 13:2) Then we read that the Holy Spirit told the Apostle Paul not to enter Asia because there was trouble waiting for him in Jerusalem. (Acts 16: 6-10)
John the Baptist baptised Jesus and then a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3: 11-17). The disciples of Jesus knew his voice but it was only after his death that they fully realised how prophetic his words were. Within the Bible, people had been frightened about the powerful presence and voice of God which could kill them. In Matthew 17: 1-13 the disciples heard God’s voice and lived to tell the tale during the Transfiguration of Jesus.
God speaks to and within the life of the Christian church and uses it to display His wisdom in many ways which can be seen on earth and even by rulers and authorities in heavenly places (Ephesians 3: 7-13).
During the crucifixion of Jesus, the voice of God spoke to Jesus which was a benefit also for all to hear (John 12:23-32) and in Hebrews 1:1-2 we have recorded that “in the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son whom he appointed heir of all things”.
Subjective Speak
In the realm of religious thought and experience, there are millions of testimonies of people who feel that they have heard a voice from God and have taken that as guidance and help for daily living and community relationships.
There is a very old gospel song He Lives (on You Tube) that says if you ask me how I know (God) lives (the answer) He lives within my heart. There are many martyred Christians who have been persecuted even unto death but have hung on to their faith and belief in a personal God who has spoken to them in the face of disbelief and opposition.
We have the examples of both Old and New Testament prophets and disciples who have heard and responded to God’s guidance and help. Preachers and teachers seek to discern what God says to them in regards to daily matters and biblical understanding. Having heard from the Lord, their task is then to communicate it as best they can to all who want to hear. On a daily basis parents, family members and friends all share about hearing and speaking the specific words as received from the Lord.
Thank you Manuel pexels.com
Objective Speak
At this point I don’t need to say too much but it is important to recognise in our growing secular world how being “objective” can invalidate any personal speak and presence of a creator God. Evidence is gathered which is presented to the world as objective, scientific and the truth. On such a basis it seeks to minimise and completely contradict any sense of truth and real meaning for a God who speaks and offers a personal presence in all the affairs of life.
In my published book Blog 51 (Black and white – Colour) I have a lovely blog Wisdom is Supreme which recognises the place of wisdom alongside Objective Speak in the everyday market place to help people find God’s truth.
Listen to Hear How God Speaks
Active listening is vital if we want to understand what God and people have to say to us. If we believe God has spoken to us and is asking us to do and say something to others, then we should act upon it trusting that what we believe we have heard is real and it will come to pass in time.
- In times of suffering we ask God for specific healing and wait for His words of comfort related to our complaints.
- We are thankful for God’s forgiveness and the ability to forgive others.
- We seek God’s renewal and restoration to our broken lives which act as a witness of God’s saving grace and unbounded love.
- God speaks to us through His Creation, His Holy Bible, His Holy Spirit, through His Church, through dreams and visions.
- So today expect God to speak to you personally as you read His word and spend time in prayer and He certainly will!
Graham
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