Does God Still Speak Today?

Welcome to Real Life. Recently, someone asked me, “When people say God speaks to them, is that real?”  It’s an important question. Does God still speak today?

Jesus said, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”[1]

God Speaks Series | Part 2 | Does God Still Speak Today?

I am still learning that God is all about relationship. He loves me. He knows me. He wants me to love and know him as well. Communication is key in relationships. I talk to God in prayer. But, how does my Lord speak to me? How does he reach into my world and get my attention?

God speaks in many ways as he pursues this love relationship with me. Often it feels as though I’m chasing after God. Actually, he’s the one chasing me. Francis Thompson (1859-1907) captures this in his poem, “The Hound of Heaven”:

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
   I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
   Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
             Up vistaed hopes I sped;
             And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
   From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
             But with unhurrying chase,
             And unperturbèd pace,
     Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
             They beat—and a Voice beat
             More instant than the Feet—
     'All things betray thee, who betrayest Me'.

Read the entire poem.

In God’s pursuit, his voice is continually calling out to me. The problem is that I don’t always recognize it. But, I want to. That’s why I read the Bible every day. It’s God’s written message to me. He speaks clearly and powerfully through his Word:

• Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 MSG)

• Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20 NLT)

• “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NIV)

• For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  (Hebrews 4:12 NLT).

• There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 MSG).

There are many voices in our world. That's why knowing the Bible is critical in learning to discern God’s voice. He never changes. He’ll never contradict his Word. The apostle Paul wrote that if anyone, even he or an angel, preaches a different gospel, reject it. That person is cursed.[2]

Beyond his written Word, God can speak through just about anything: 

Nature “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1 NIV).  I hear my Creator’s voice through his creation. He whistles joy through the vibrant autumn leaves. He shouts strength at the rim of the Grand Canyon. He whispers peace in a sunset.

People Sometimes God uses people as his messengers. I hear his voice in conversations, books, artwork, on the radio[3], etc. A pastor’s message speaks directly to my circumstances. A poignant song moves me to tears. A friend encourages me with precisely the words I need that day.

Circumstances God gets my attention through a car that won’t start, a situation at work, an illness, and many other events that touch my life. He may not cause the circumstances[4], yet he can always speak through them. My life-long best friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I fell apart. I didn’t want to lose her. God said, “Trust me.” She survived brain surgery almost wholly unscathed. Four years later, she’s still cancer free. 

Holy Spirit God’s Spirit speaks softly to my heart. In a recent blog, I asked God if I mattered. As I quietly listened, I heard his reply in my thoughts, “Your life has great worth in my sight.  You are my treasure...”  For more on recognizing God’s voice in this way read The Art of Listening Prayer by Seth Barnes.

Dear Lord, thank you for loving and pursuing me. Help me hear your voice calling out to me today. I want to know you in Real Life.  Amen.

Something to think about:

• Do you want to hear God’s voice? Spend some time reading his Word and ask him to speak to you through it. New to the Bible, start with the Gospel of John. Don’t have one, click here. 
• Take a walk or look out the window. What’s God saying through the sun, trees, grass, sky…
• Listen to “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe. What’s God saying through this song?

Next week: Are you thirsty?

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[1] Matthew 4:4

[2] Galatians 1:6-9

[3] In Northeast Ohio, check out 103.3 fm (the Christian station where I work) or listen anywhere online at www.moodyradiocleveland.fm.

[4] We live in a fallen world.  When sin entered the world, so did death in the form of disease, hunger, natural disasters, war, etc.