The problem isn’t that He doesn’t communicate. The problem is we too often don’t want to hear what He has to say or submit to His will. We want to be god or to create a god in our image.
Music fills the airways, and messages never cease. But we don’t hear anything unless we tune in to the radio waves. God is also always speaking, but unless we tune in, we miss what He is saying.
Listening is an important skill that involves focusing on the one who is communicating, not thinking about ourselves and what we want to say or do. Listening is opening our hearts to receive the message being given. We pay attention. If we’re confused, we ask questions for clarification. Our goal is to understand, not to give a rebuttal or tell our own stories.
When we want to get to know someone, we communicate with them by whatever means is available. We focus on who they are, what they think, and how they feel.
Our Creator formed us with the need for a relationship with Him. He’s always speaking to us. The question is, “Are we listening?”
Here are four of the glorious ways He speaks to all people:
1. Creation Continually Proclaims God’s Glory!
He shouts through the glory of the heavens. Speaks through the detailed intricacies of all that exists. Whispers in the mysteries and wonders of nature. Shows Himself through the complexities of human emotion. Calls to us in our deepest longings. Lavishes us with love through untold beauty all around. Astounds us with His generosity in infinite galaxies and countless wonders.
King David, of Old Testament times, wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4a, NIV). He also shows His glory through His children often without words as others see the peace, joy, and love He gives to us.
A tiny seed contains all the information it needs to grow into a magnificent oak tree or an intricate flower. Each human who has ever lived was born with a unique code in their DNA containing the details of their design and what makes them unique. Everything from mathematical formulas to the jaw-dropping patterns in nature clearly shows an intelligent Creator.
Scripture teaches, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NIV).
2. God Sent His Son To Demonstrate His Love
Wonder of wonders: He sent His own Son—God in the flesh—to humble Himself, become a man, and experience life as we do. Yet, He remained perfect and holy, never once speaking a wrong word. He willingly sacrificed Himself for us. Jesus Christ is God’s greatest message to us, showing His unfailing love. His love is available to anyone who will turn and believe. Anyone who believes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.
Scripture teaches, “In the past God spoke…through the prophets…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:1-3a, NIV). Jesus came to Earth to demonstrate God’s love for us.
3. God Gave Us the Gift of the Holy Spirit
God sent the Holy Spirit to be His witness in our hearts: a Counselor who never leaves us. He teaches us and reminds us of all Jesus said. He convicts us when we sin and corrects our path. He comforts us in sorrow and gives healing and peace.
The Holy Spirit is God in us giving us direction, teaching, counseling, reminding, and warning. What more intimate, loving gift could He bestow on humanity? Jesus promised, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26, NIV).
The Holy Spirit is a gift to those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. When we believe in Him, His Spirit immediately fills us.
4. God Gave Us His Written Words
Incredibly, our Father also gave us His own story written down. His words and actions were recorded by multiple authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to convey God’s unified message to all His people. The words of our Lord and Savior! Letters penned directly to those who believe and calling to those who haven’t yet trusted Him. Astounding! Almighty God inspired those who wrote down His thoughts, intentions, acts, and purposes. Written for us and kept uncorrupted for thousands of years. Proven, protected, and provided to all. Do we accept it for the treasure it is? Ignore it? Deny it?
I’ve heard people say, “I wish God would write on the wall for me,” or “If only God would send me a letter.” He did! He wrote an entire library of 66 books called the Holy Bible. He explained everything from the moment of creation to the prophecies of the end of time. What more could He do?
The problem isn’t that He doesn’t communicate. The problem is we too often don’t want to hear what He has to say or submit to His will. We want to be god or to create a god in our image.
God has spoken and continues to speak. Will we humble ourselves to listen, trust, and obey?
Radio waves are all around, yet we don’t hear the music unless we tune in. We must be connected to the frequency to receive the message. To hear all that God is saying, we also must be tuned in and have ears to hear.
Here are some ways we tune in to God:
Be Still and Listen
We need time every day to just be still and listen to God. We need quietness. This requires us to slow down. Why is it so hard to slow down and spend time listening? Our culture is so set on rushing. People run red lights, complain at the slightest interruption, have trouble being still, and can’t take time to listen to a message more than a few minutes long.
Jesus calls us to slow down, be still, and connect with Him by listening for His still, small voice.
Carve out a time when you’re most alert: for some, that is early in the morning, and for others before bedtime. If you don’t already have a habit of meeting with God, start small. Set aside 15 minutes each day to listen, pray, and read Scripture. If you miss a day, start back the next. Determine to stick with it for at least 21 days. Before you know it, a habit will be formed. This truly is the most important thing you do each day.
Take advantage of quiet moments to listen to God rather than filling every bit of time with noise. Sitting at red lights, waiting for an appointment, taking a walk, or spending time in nature can all be opportunities to listen. God tells us in Scripture, “‘Be still, and know that I am God’” (Psalm 46:10, NIV).
Meditate on Scripture
We choose what we think about. Thinking about scriptural truths helps keep us close to Jesus. This requires us to first read and study His Word. The more we read, the more His words are implanted in our hearts. Most, if not all, of what we need to know about God’s will for us is written in the Bible. When we contemplate His words, we’re tuned in to His heart.
Talk to God
Prayer is an incredible gift. If you want to know what God thinks about something, ask Him. He does not answer in an audible voice, but He will answer. He may speak in a still, small voice in your heart. He may answer through His Word, other people, or circumstances, but He always directs our paths.
How amazing that we can ask God anything! He tells us to ask for what we need and to intercede for others. He will answer according to His will. And the prayer that we can always rely on: “‘Yet not my will but yours be done’” (Luke 22:42, NIV).
Seek and You Will Find
Many Bible verses remind us that anyone who seeks God with an open heart will find Him. When we surrender ourselves to His will, He will guide us. Here are some of the promises from His Word:
“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17 (NIV)
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 (NIV)
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
“Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’” Mark 4:9 (NIV)
Tune in to Almighty God and listen to His message. He longs to be close to each of His children. He has promised that if you seek Him with an honest heart, He will answer.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Stockarm
Susan Aken writes devotions and articles for Wholly Loved Ministries, is an Oklahoma native who’s lived in Nebraska since 1987 and has been in public education for over thirty years. She and her husband have one son and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Besides writing she has a passion for special needs and prayer ministries. She enjoys time with family, reading, photography, movies, walking in nature, and a nice cup of tea. She believes life is a journey and we’re all in different places. Jesus is everything to her and it’s all about grace. Visit her at susanaken53.wordpress.com or on Facebook.
