Command 24 : Hear God's Voice | Day 167

Know How God Speaks!

A dentist in Philadelphia practiced out of a small building that had only a few parking spaces in front of it. This was an inconvenience to many of his patients, who were forced to find parking wherever they could along a busy street. One day he learned that the vacant lot next to him was for sale. This lot could easily provide the much-needed parking for his patients.

However, there was one problem. The dentist did not have enough money to purchase the property and would have to take out a loan in order to buy the lot. He discussed the matter, including all of the financial benefits of such an investment, with his father, but his father was firm in his counsel: "Do not borrow for it." Was this the "voice of God" or the outdated thinking of a cautious, elderly man?

Based on the Scriptural principles of honoring your father and mother (see Exodus 20:12 and Proverbs 23:22), the dentist decided not to buy the lot. What happened? The city purchased it and turned it into a first-class parking lot, assuming responsibility for all of its future maintenance needs as well!

We will miss the voice of God if we do not recognize the truth of Scripture in the teaching and counsel of our human authorities.

God's primary mode of communication is His inspired and infallible written Word. The Spirit of God inspired Godly men to write the Scriptures, and the same Holy Spirit guides us in understanding and applying its truth to our lives. (See II Peter 1:21 and John 16:13.)

God also raises up pastors and others to teach the Word of God and explain how to apply it to our lives. (See Ephesians 4:11-12.) However, regardless of how wise and Godly these messengers are, we must confirm what they tell us with the Bible itself. Paul commended the Bereans because they checked his teaching against Scripture. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

In addition to pastors, teachers, and parents, God speaks to us through government officials. We are to honor them as ministers of God and obey them as long as their directives are in harmony with God's Word. (See Romans 13:1-7 and I Peter 2:13-14.) The Book of Proverbs tells us that God speaks to us and directs us through government officials: “A divine sentence is in the lips of the king …” (Proverbs 16:10). “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

I am deeply indebted to the God-ordained messengers in my life through whom I have heard God's voice over the years. Indelible truths have been engrafted into my soul by gifted communicators of God's Word. Who are the people God has used in your life to communicate to you His truth, starting in your childhood up until now? Let's be alert to hear God's voice as He speaks to us through many different individuals in our lives.