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Do You Hear What I Hear?


God spoke to me today. You probably hear that phrase as often as I do. But not everyone means the same thing when they say it. So I thought I would explain what I mean when I say it.

The Bible is the way that God speaks to me. 99.9% of the time this is true. It happens either while I am reading the Bible or during the course of the day as I am thinking about a decision, a passage or verse of Scripture comes to my mind. I hear the voice of God in the words of the Bible and when I hear them I try to orient my life and my decisions based on those words. 

Here is how it happened on Monday.

I am reading through my Bible this year using the Discipleship Journal Plan that our church passed out in late December. I think I was several days behind on Monday and I was using the morning to catch up. So I was reading from Numbers when I came to the story of Balaam. You know the story of Balaam and his donkey, I do too. At least I thought I did. 

But on Monday I heard my own voice in the voice of Balaam. He said, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more” (Numbers 22:18). He boldly proclaims that he can only speak the word of God and he says it repeatedly (22:38, 23:12, and 24:12–14).

But God was angry with Balaam (22:22). And when Israel went to war with Midian they killed Balaam (31:8). Why? Moses said that it was Balaam’s advice to Balak that caused the people of Israel to stumble (31:16, Revelation 2:14). How did that happen? It happened because though Balaam received a word from God not to go to Balak, when he was offered money by Balak's men he asked God again whether he should go or not. Balaam’s theology of preaching was correct, but his love for gain was his undoing (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11).

And so God spoke to me. “You can have your theology right and still be lead astray by your evil desires. Don’t be a fool like Balaam!” 

Those are strong words of caution. But words of caution from a God who cares about me and doesn't want me to make a shipwreck of my faith. Though the words were stern, they were good words.

I hear you Lord.

Let God speak to you from the words of Scripture.

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