Vantage point
What has God been saying to you?
I remember hearing this question frequently as a young man.
Sometimes it irritated me.
It was fine when I was walking closely with the Lord,
reading my Bible and praying regularly. Believers have the privilege to walk in
the Spirit and experience the presence of God. This kind of walk lends itself
to “hearing” God speak to one’s spirit.
But I hated it (still do) when some Christians used “God
told me …” as a transparent ploy to excuse an irresponsible act or a
less-than-Christian attitude.
I must confess I also disliked hearing it when I wasn’t
sensing anything from God myself. I became inwardly defensive … but it usually
brought me to conviction.
You can have an answer for this question every day of your
life. “For the word of God is living and powerful …” (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV). Stay
in the Word and God is speaking to you. Whenever you open your Bible pray,
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18).
You will find God impressing Scriptures to your heart.
Even when you don’t feel a clear impression, the Word is
speaking. If you read Matthew 28, God is speaking to you to witness. Read John
13, and He’s telling you to serve. Philippians 4 — Fill your life with
the joy of the Lord …. You get the idea.
Recently, with my wife facing challenging health issues, and
some other things going on, I had one of those coveted moments when God speaks
clearly. I had no doubt He said to me, “You don’t understand what I’m doing.
Just be faithful.”
This helped get me through a trial. But more often He has spoken
to me from His Word.
The only way to not have an answer for this question is to
stay out of God’s Word and off your knees. Unfortunately, too many Christians
do this.
So, what has God been saying to you? If you don’t have an
answer, you know where to find one.
Ken Horn
E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.
