God Speaks

What does the voice of God sound like?

After the LORD had miraclously delivered the people of Israel from their Egyptian captivity, HE lead them to the mountain of God. On that mountain, God's servant Moses received the Law. When God first delivered the Ten Commandments, HE spoke them in the hearing of all the people. "And God spoke all these words, saying......" (Exodus 20:1). Every time I read the account of that awesome moment I'm amazed at the response of the people, because if I would have been there certainly I'd responded differently. Yeah, right! (Sarcasm mine.) There response is found in Exodus 20:18-19, "Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, 'You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.' "

The above picture was made by a friend of mine (Thanks James Edwards for a beautiful image.) who had taken a digital picture of a recent thunder storm in our area and edited the picture with an important Scripture reminder for us all. In the Bible God chose many different ways to speak. The fact that God still speaks today is sometimes questioned by skeptics, but I believe He still speaks. HIS primary method is through HIS Holy Word that HE has given us.

I have been reading through the Old Testament in an attempt to read the whole Bible in a single year - you ought to try it; start by committing to do it with a simple plan. Read a few chapters each day and before you know it you will find yourself reading more and more. By the way, I double dog dare you to read the whole Bible. Currently I'm in Jeremiah who was a prophet of God. I have found myself shaking my head in unbelief how the people of God, the nation of Israel, who had seen and experienced so much of God's grace and goodness, could be so foolish by forsaking the LORD. In one section the LORD of host commands Jeremiah to proclaim to HIS people, "Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me?" (5:21, 22) As I read those words, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit how foolishly we today are by treating the LORD with contempt just like the children of Israel in Jeremiah's day.

It isn't that God doesn't speak today, because HE is actively speaking. The problem is that we refuse to listen, or that we don't like what HE'S saying because it doesn't suit our livestyle so we turn a deaf ear (My precious wife calls this selective hearing.). I recently saw these words posted on a church sign as I drove by a church in Arlington, "Don't confuse God's patience with HIS final position on your life." So many today mistakenly subscribe to the notion that they can reject God and HIS Word, and in some way escape any adverse consequences for their actions. God's grace and patience has mistaken been perceived by them as a stamp of approval on their actions and lifestyle.

Wake up America!!! Wake up Church!!!

The mistake the ancient nation of Israel made was to ignore God's voice - spoken not like on the mountain of God, but by HIS servants the prophets who HE specifically sent with a message. God, their loving heavenly Father, the LORD of hosts, sent messenger after messenger but the nation ignored God, they beat and even killed HIS servants because they did not like what they heard. "To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them and object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it. Therefore, I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in" (Jeremiah 6:10, 11).

God's final "Word" (John 1:1,2; Hebrews 1:1-4) to us has come through HIS Son Jesus Christ. Sadly many today have rejected HIM because HE does not fit the desires of their heart. There is no fear within them of the consequences of such behavior. They have mistaken bought into the lie that God will either not judge them or that HE will judge by a sliding scale or curve, but that is a lie straight from the pits of Hell.

Listen up!!! God is speaking today. If you aren't getting the message the problem is not on God's method of communication, but on your unwillingness to hear. When God's seems silent, it's usually because we have our backs turned to HIM.