As I travel the world I hear many Christians, (especially in America) asking God to speak to them or worse listening to them telling me what God has said about this thing or that thing and how He is going to bless them. Seldom do I hear someone tell me God is going to curse them for their wayward life. Now that all the above may be true I am not going to dispute God speaking to someone, but when I look in the Bible God speaking to man is not a common occurrence.

My friend, God is not a chatter box. He spoke to Abram 5 times in 25 years. After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and sin entered the world we find God speaking even less. After the fourth chapter of Genesis, we do not find the words, “God said” often. Now this truth of God saying something and it coming to pass is a critical message in the word of God. We must embrace this truth personally to be able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18). We must believe if God says something it will come to pass in our lives. This truth, this revelation must be apart of our Christian walk with the Lord. We must believe when God speaks things happen. But, when God speaks it is not always a happy time. I wonder why we think God speaking is always good and a blessing is to follow? Well, if we look at the Bible most often when God speaks it is not what we call good at first, but I time we see God’s hand and plan. In Genesis God spoke and told Adam, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (even the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life, please see Genesis 1:29) 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Here God spoke and set limits and restrictions on Adam. God’s word to us always sets limitations and restrictions on us. “Here Adam all of this food is for you except for these two trees.” Man still does not like to be told no or what he can do or not do. Our selfish and self-seeking nature always wants its way. God spoke to Noah and told him He was going to wipe man from the face of the earth, “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:13) How would you like for God to tell you that? But God also told Noah He would save him and his family if they limited themselves to His word, “But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.” Genesis 6:18) God’s salvation and life is always found in His words. Jesus told the disciples, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) At the age of 75 God spoke to Abram and told him to leave his family, friends, and country. “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” (Genesis 12:1) At the age of 100 Abraham was given a son whom through every family on earth would be blessed, but 10 years later God spoke again, “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.“ (Genesis 22:2) God’s word to us often tempts us too, “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.” (Genesis 22:1) We too must understand this point very well to be able to walk with God in a meaningful and mature way. God will check us out to see if our words are true and to see if He can count on us to do that which He has asked us to do. Job, Joseph, David, his son Solomon the list goes on, when God spoke His word brought them all to the straight gate and narrow way of submission and obedience, us too.

In the New Testament we find the same truth moving, but less often. One of the most notable times was when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17) But even with God the Father speaking it was not enough for Jesus to start His ministry. “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” (Matthew 4:1-2) God’s words to us will always lead us into the wilderness so that we can learn of His life. His words always teach us that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out from the mouth of God. In 2 Corinthians we find another time God spoke to man. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 7-10). Here Paul was trying to get God to change His will for Paul’s life, but God wanted nothing to do with Paul’s beseeching (asking or praying). Three times Paul tried to twist God’s arms. What a present from God, “the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” Can you believe God would do this? God’s word to us always see what is in our heart, for out of our mouth speaks our heart, and to what extent we will suffer for Him. Another time God spoke to Paul through Agabus, “Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:13-14) God’s word to us always leads us to the death of our self-life and to having His will done. Even Jesus had to submit to God’s words and will for His life, “And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Luke 14:35-36) Jesus’ words and His intention implies He had a will that was contrary to God the Father, but God’s word to His dear precious Son moved Him to align with the will God had for man and His Son.

When God speaks to us it is so that we may know God’s will, but what then? When God speaks to us, it is His word to us that stir up our self-life. It is His word that reveals our lack, our infirmities, and our insufficiency. When God speaks we are exposed for what and who we really are. Our mask is cast down and we stand naked before Him. But at the same time God’s word is life and comfort to us. “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.” (Hosea 2:14) When God speaks things happen this is for sure however, whether they come to pass or not depends not on God, but us . “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21) My friend that is our “tongue” not God’s. We get to choose what we desire to eat out from our love of it, “Death” or “life.” With all of God’s speaking to man we find the ones who loved God and His ways always answered in obedience. Do you hear God speaking? To you? He is just draw near to Him, program or train your ears away from the world and yourself, and you will hear God speak.