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God speaks to us in three ways— creation, the Bible, and personally. Let’s look at Scripture…
Creation
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).
The Bible
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Personally
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:14).
Creation: I’ve read several authors who describe walking through the woods as a “glory bath” from God, and this statement agrees with Psalm 19:1: “The heavens are declaring the glory of God.” Bible: I can’t count the times I’ve read the Bible and thought, “This verse is speaking to me,” illustrating James 1:21: “Receive the word implanted which is able to save your soul.” Personally: Recently, I listened to a young man say, “I thought the Lord wanted me to share a specific word with someone, and when I did, this person said it was exactly what was needed,” as Ephesians 1:17 encourages, “May God give us a Spirit of wisdom and revelation.”
And since God speaks through creation, the Bible, and personally, let’s understand why all three are needed.
Creation: Great for seeing the glory of God and sensing His presence but not good for defining His attributes. Bible: The Bible is inspired and preserved so we can accurately read about God, our sin, Jesus, heaven, etc., but it doesn’t reveal the specifics of God’s will for each believer. Personally: Learning to follow the Lord’s will helps us walk the narrow path of God’s intentions for us, but without Scripture’s guidance, it’s easy to wander through the broad gate of selfish ambition and the lusts of the flesh.
To understand our specific calling and fully experience God, we must develop “listening ears” to how God speaks to us through creation, the Bible, and personally. J.I. Packer, one of the most eminent scholars of the last century, writes extensively on the topic of hearing God.
J.I. writes about creation as God’s general revelation, explaining that…
General revelation is given everywhere and at all times, to all, through the ordinary experience of being alive in God’s world. It is given through all created things.
Let’s continue with Brother J.I. as he says…
The Bible does not merely contain or witness to revelation; rather, the Bible is itself the physical record, interpretation, expression, and embodiment of God’s self-disclosure.
And since we are overusing quotes from Brother Packer, we might as well hear what he has to say on personal revelation…
God speaks not only to move us to do His will, but to enable us to know Him so that we may love Him.
Amen, speak to me, Lord, through creation and through words defined and confined by the Bible, giving me a base from which I can discern your voice speaking to me.
Practical tips…
- Take a walk while praying
- Keep a journal of what God says to you personally
- Memorize Psalm 19, which discusses creation, the Bible, and personally hearing God