How Does God Speak to You?

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inGod SPEAKS to usTags:, , ,

Job’s friend Elihu makes an interesting comment about the way God speaks to people. Keep in mind that Elihu was Job’s only friend that was NOT rebuked by God for speaking incorrectly. So we can believe what Elihu has to say.

“For God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it. In a dream, a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds. He uncovers their ears at that time and terrifies them with warnings, in order to turn a person from his actions and suppress his pride.” Job 33:14-17.

So how does God speak according to Elihu?

  1. In dreams
  2. In “visions in the night”
  3. When deep sleep falls and as we slumber

Most of us do not analyze our dreams looking for messages from God. And we probably should not. Because when Elihu was speaking there were NO written scriptures. Today we have 66 books of scripture. The copy on my desk has 1,403 pages! So today, God speaks to us through His Word.

But He MIGHT speak through a dream or a “vision in the night.” But it absolutely MUST be a message that is consistent with the Word that He has given us. That is, God will NEVER say something to you in a dream that contradicts anything in the Bible. If your dream contradicts the Bible, then your dream is NOT from God. The same is true for your imaginations, visions in the night, or whatever else might happen while you slumber.

Today, God speaks first and foremost through His Word. Don’t waste time combing through your dreams trying to find secret messages from God. His messages are in His Word.

I simply think it is worth remembering that once in a while, God may still use a dream to get your attention. But that dream will be consistent with the Bible, or it did not come from God. Personally, I have only ever had one dream that seemed to be a message from God. One—in fifty years. So I believe it is extremely rare that God would speak to you through a dream. There is so much more that He can teach you through His word—why even bother with dreams, you know? Dreams may be fun, but as you know, they are often illogical and even absurd. By contrast, the scripture is clear and easy to follow. It is not often subject to misinterpretation, but is instead, straightforward enough that readers either believe it and obey it, or they sin against it. Dreams are rarely so clear.

Do you want God to speak to you? Spend more time in His word. That is where He will meet you with wisdom and answers to all of life’s questions.

ΑΩ

Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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