To prevent any man from claiming ignorance, God endowed every man with an inherent sense that He exists. And to reinforce this conviction he put constant reminders around him that speak to an Intelligent Creator. Man can choose to disregard these inbuilt senses and select not to worship Him – but from God’s point of view, “they are without excuse.”
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.” (Romans 1:20, 25) Job said: “God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.” (see Job 33:13-18)
There’s an old saying that goes… “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” God stands ready to make Himself known to every receptive and welcoming heart. But how does God speak?
I personally have never heard God’s audible voice – but I know He speaks. God’s voice may not be audible, but it is fully recognizable. It comes in a variety of ways. As a gentle leading, an inner prompting, an impression, a growing conviction, a sense of peace. His voice is heard through the ears of the soul! Jesus said that he is the shepherd, and we are the sheep. As our Shepherd “…He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out …and goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:3-4)
God speaks primarily through His Word, His Spirit, His creation, and His people.
1. His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.” (II Tim. 3:16-17)
2. His Spirit. The role of the Holy Spirit is to instruct, guide, teach, and uplift Jesus. He has promised to guide us into all truth (John 16:13)
3. His Creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)
4. His People. In previous eras God spoke through prophets. Today, God wants to speak through you. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as through God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (II Cor. 5:20) I have been blessed by godly friends who’ve spoken into my life to challenge me and direct me. They were the mouthpiece of God. Struggling at the age of 18 with what to do with my life, following a Sunday evening service, our church organist, David Hutchinson made a beeline to talk to me. God had been impressing him all throughout the service to come to me with a specific word. It was: “God is wanting to use you and it’s time to get ready.” That was a “word from the Lord” – and I knew it! It changed the entire direction of my life.
God still speaks my friend. And he wants to speak to you and through you.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:7) “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:9)
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group / Loads of Love
Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 119:105-112; Prov. 10:32; Eph. 4:11-16; Duet. 30:14; Rev. 1:10
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