Four Ways God Speaks to Me

In review of Job 33:14 this morning, I read that  “God does speak—sometimes one way and sometimes another—even though people may not understand it.” (NCV)

God speaks again and again. He spoke in dreams and visions, through suffering, and by mediating angels. Yes, God is speaking to me, but am I listening for his voice? Today’s verse says God sometimes speaks one way, sometimes another.

So the question is, “How do I tune in so that I can hear him?”

Here are four of the channels that God uses:

1. God speaks to me through His Word, the Bible.

It’s my guidebook for life. It shows me the right step to take. That is why I need to read God’s Word every day. If I’m not having a daily quiet time and reading the Bible, It’s as if God is getting a busy signal when he wants to speak. I need to keep a constant connection because God’s will is found in God’s Word.

2. God speaks to me through teachers.

There’s no way a teacher could figure out exactly what to say to meet every need of those they are teaching. But God knows. Somehow, in the way only he can, God uses teaching to meet the needs of the people who are listening.

3. God speaks to me through impressions.

There are two extremes to this. One extreme is the rationalist who believes no impression can be from God; it all has to be logical. The other extreme is the mystical belief that every impression is from God. I need to get in the middle and realize that God only provides impressions that will match His Word.

4. God speaks to me through my circumstances.

If I’m going to live a life of significance, God will make constant course corrections, and one of the things he uses to do that is the circumstances of my life. When I start listening to God through circumstances, impressions, teachers, or the Bible, he may lead me in ways that I don’t understand.

I need to just hang in there! Following God is not always easy, but doing so will reap more blessing in my life than I can imagine.

In summary, God speaks, sometimes one way and sometimes another, even though I may not understand it. If God is speaking to me, am I listening for his voice? How do I tune in? Here are four channels that God uses: First he speaks to me through his Word, the guidebook for life. It shows me the right step to take. If I'm not getting into his Word, it's as if God is getting a busy signal when he wants to speak. Secondly he speaks to me through teachers. Somehow, in a way only he can, He uses teaching to meet the needs of the people who are listening. Thirdly he will speak through impressions, but not all. Only the ones that will match His word. Lastly he speaks through circumstances. In those he will make course corrections. Realizing and taking advantage of these ways will help me reap blessings and prepare me for how he wants to use me.

Father, I am so happy that I’m on board with getting into your Word frequently. I know it’s a primary source for hearing from me. It’s what I pray for when I start my quiet times. I pray this morning that I continue to listen to You through circumstances, impressions, teachers, and your Word. I ask for your Spirit to help me realize this through the course of my day and circumstances. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my activities today, my leadership of others, management of projects, and interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.