I John 5.14 ESV
2 Chronicles 1:7-10 ESV
Psalm 23:1 ESV
Psalm 18:2-3 ESV
Psalm 19:1 ESV
Ezekiel 1:1-3 ESV
2 Kings 17:13 ESV
I Kings 19:11-13 ESV
Acts 2:2-4 ESV
I John 5:14 ESV
Thoughts on Scripture and Life
Not long before I started Seminary, I had the opportunity to study Listening Prayer. We see a thread of how God spoke to various people in scripture.
For example, God spoke to King Solomon through words of wisdom. In 2 Chronicles 1:7-10 we learn about what transpired between Solomon and God after he became king of Israel,“That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
God granted Solomon’s request. Solomon’s writings in Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes are filled with incredible wisdom. God spoke to Solomon through wisdom.
God spoke to King David by reminding him he was not alone. David wrote in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” David had a personal relationship with God.
God spoke to David through His protection when he was running from King Saul, Psalm 18:2-3 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
God also spoke to David through the beauty of the earth. We read in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
God spoke to the Old Testament Prophets through dreams, visions, and messages from angels.
For example, Ezekiel 1:1-3 tells us, “In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the Lord was upon him there.”
God sent specific messages to specific people. 2 Kings 17:13 tells us, “the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
God spoke to the Prophet Elijah in I Kings 19:11-13 “And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
In the New Testament the Spirit was fully released on earth. In Acts 2:2-4 we read that God spoke through the Holy Spirit, “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Today God still uses dreams, visions, words of wisdom, the beauty of the earth, angels, and a still small voice.
Someone once told me God is God and God can do anything He wants. God can speak to anyone in any way at any time. The examples I gave are examples. It’s not intended to be an exhaustive list.
God started speaking to me when I was 12 years old. I had a dream and the dream came true. God has used dreams and visions to guide me all my life.
I went to a Billy Graham Crusade in Kansas City, Missouri in 1967 when I was 14 years old. A rushing wind swept through me and I shook and cried the entire time I was there. I don’t remember what was said that night, but I will never forget how I felt. I knew the Spirit of the Living God swept through me.
In my latter years, God has given me dreams to warn me when something is about to happen.
God has shown me angels all my life. They have not given me messages, but I know when they are protecting me.
There have been times when I am quiet and in a secluded place that I have heard the still small voice of God.
The examples I give are not the only way God speaks today. When I sit with people and they ask how to hear God, my best advise is that they will be in a quiet place where they can listen.
I also tell them if they have a dream or a vision that comes true, write it down and date it.
The best advise I give comes from scripture. I John 5:14 tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
Remember that wise King Solomon asked God for wisdom and it was given to him in mighty ways.
I tell people…I tell you to ask God. Ask God to show you how to hear Him.
God will answer
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Ask
Ask God to speak to you. Then listen.
In God, Deborah
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