Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

12 January 2024

Reading From Job 32-34

“For God does speak—now one way, now another—
    though no one perceives it.
In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
he may speak in their ears
    and terrify them with warnings,
to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,
to preserve them from the pit,
    their lives from perishing by the sword.”

–Job 34:14-18

     I believe that God is speaking to anyone who is willing to listen.[1]  He speaks through countless forms of communication.[2]    Any message I recognize to be from Him must be checked with what He has already said in His Word the Bible.  I am grateful that we can hear His voice through a minister, a family member, a friend.[3]  I can be alone or in a crowd or feel alone in a crowd and hear Him calling my name.  He can use the script of a movie, the lyrics of a song, a soundbite of conversation and a cord is struck deep within me and I know it’s my loving Father God guiding me.[4]  Whether it is through dream, a vision, a still, small voice or a boom thundering with clarity, we must listen to Him and put His Word into practice as He directs.  But there are so many competing voices grappling for our attention.  How can we know that we are hearing from God and not our own thoughts, the influence of others or our adversary?[5]

     God does not lie or contradict Himself like human beings are prone to do.[6]  He is perfect in all His ways.  There are times when I’m hiking in the mountains, gazing out at the ocean, or walking along a park path that I hear Him whispering words of correction, wisdom and love concerning myself, other people and situations in my life.[7]  Part of why one on one time with Jesus through prayer, worship and Bible study is so vital to the spiritual wellbeing of a believer is that if we treasure Scripture in our hearts and minds,[8] then hearing from God and being sensitive to His voice comes more readily.  Communication is key in every healthy relationship.  The more you keep the line of communication open with Heavenly Father, the more you will get to know Him and recognize His voice.  There are times when He reveals something new you’ve never known before, but it will always be in alignment with a healthy, balanced understanding of the Bible,[9] His primary form of communicating with His children.[10]  Divine revelation comes in the forms of spiritual downloads that are new to us, not new to God.

     “Holy Spirit, you are welcome in my life.  When I need to be corrected, I pray that I will have the humility to receive it.  Thank You for leading me at times gently and at other times with urgent warnings.  Whenever I need loving words of encouragement, I can count on You.  I ask that You guide me into all truth and that You will show me how to share that truth with others.  Thank You for caring about me enough to speak with me.  Amen.”

In the last days, God says,
   “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.”

Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:17-18

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[1] Psalm 19:1-4, John 10:27-28, Revelation 22:17-19

[2] Hebrews 1:1-3

[3] Ephesians 5:18-20, I Thessalonians 5:11

[4] John 16:13

[5] Luke 4:1-11

[6] Numbers 23:19

[7] Job 12:7-10

[8] Psalm 119:11, Luke 2:19

[9] II Timothy 2:15

[10] John 17:17