UI – Part 207 – God Speaks to You

 Those Voices

Those Voices in Your Head.   Last week this Blog discussed the constant voices we hear from within.  As we speak we hear, as we watch TV or listen to music, the radio, we hear, as we read a book the newspaper, we hear, when we read a letter or our email, Twitter or Facebook, we hear, and even as we listen to others, we hear.  In our moments of silence we hear.  As we pray we hear.   It is a constant.  Who is it speaking?  Read last weeks for a discussion (‘Who Speaks to You?’).  From this din is it ever God?

God Speaking

Be it Allah or God (the Biblical God) have you ever heard Him speak.  Does such speaking have to be in words we understand?  Does the speaking simply reflect on how we deal with or consider situations?  For me, and Christians, others of faith possibly, God speaks through the Bible and Prayer.  Exactly how God speaks is a mystery, but also a reality. 

God may speak to us in dreams , as was the case for many of the Biblical prophets.  That their dreams were from God was in fact true was the eventual realization of the outcome as foretold.  From Deuteronomy 18:22, “If what a Prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord (God) does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.  That Prophet has spoken presumptuously.” 

It would not be a coincidental fulfillment of the predictions of a false prophet that elevate that person and their revelation to a higher status.  As noted also in Deuteronomy 13:1-4, “If a prophet or one foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet, or dreamer.  The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.  It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere.”  This is a caveat. 

The ‘Lord your God’ underlined in the prior paragraph is the one who led his people from Egypt and redeemed them from a life of servitude, a life of forced labor.  To those who follow false prophets or false gods they are reprimanded, “You must purge the evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy 13:5b)  There is no other God.

Of the dreams of Muhammad the question arises as to fact, outcomes, realization of the foretelling.  Is Allah God?  Saying Allah is the ‘best of deceivers’ for many causes concern. And rightfully so.  The question one must ask, ‘Would God deceive?’  If God were a ‘deceiver’ how then would anyone ever know what is Truth?’  This logic is compelling.

Turn to the Bible

When faced with concerns or activities of daily life turn to the Bible.  Pick a page, any verse, or even specific verses – what is read often speaks loudly to the moment.  With daily Bible readings the words come off the pages with a perspective that varies – the same words on different days may say different things.  The Word (The Bible) is our direct connect with God.  He is speaking through the words recorded as Inspired by God.  The Bible is the Inspired Word of God. From 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”[i]

Daily Prayer, or praying when there is a concern or specific need, is a means of direct communication with our Creator.  That which we say is already known to Him, but say it anyway, ask, let Him know you seek His guidance, His comfort, His knowledge (which far exceeds any of ours), and His help.  When your prayer is spoken with a believing heart, even mentally, not verbally,  you will receive an answer, not always when you want, even when you least expect, but there will be an answer.  You must be alert.  Watch for the signs.  He may be holding your hand and you are just unaware.

The Bible makes us aware (Hebrews 1:1) that “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.” [ii]    The Prophets were vessels of divine inspiration filled by God.  For over a thousand years God spoke, then stopped from Malachi until Christ, over 300 years.  The will of God was declared and prophesied.  God spoke with the faithful.  Then it became clearer as to the Truth.  Jesus Christ, both God and man (incarnate) is the true eternal and only Prophet, King and High Priest, as foreseen by those of the Old Testament.  Through Christ, God (as the Father) was fully revealed to the world, perfect and at once known.  “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” (John 3:33)  “The one who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31)  The Apostles lived, met, ate, were taught, and conversed with Christ, just as foreseen in the Old Testament.  Heb 1:1 discusses how Christ is greater than angels. 

The Quran offers the Bible as a resource as well.  Sura 10:94, “But if thou art in doubt as to that which We have revealed to thee, ask those who read the Book (the Bible) before thee.  Certainly the Truth has come to thee from thy Lord, so be not thou of the doubters.”

Relationship

Through Christ all mankind was given the ability to know God, to experience his physical presence and know a relationship with Him was possible.  Speaking with Him, praying and being heard, receiving a response was now understood.  As with a loved one we can rest our heads, share our love, share our joy and disappointment and remain consoled and cared for, loved with no strings attached.  We can have a conversation, be heard and receive an answer.  For those who believe, the relationship with God is reality and through the Holy Spirit we are internally and forever filled with God’s presence, his guarantee and reminder of what he is capable of and can do for you and me.  And with that the Grace of God and His Mercy we are assured of being with him in his dwelling place. 

God has restored mankind, those who choose to believe, and prepared his kingdom for their entry.  Man has been made right with God by His Mercy and Grace, and purposed to do what God has prepared in advance for him/her to do.  Thanks Be to God.

You will know when God speaks to you. You need to listen and be careful not to deny his truth.

Grace and Peace