God Still Speaks

Since the dawning of the church age, there are times when Christians, Churches or even entire denominations have wanted God to act in a personal, constant, up-close way.

Personally, I would argue that He does.

Yet, those that fail to see the movements of God in the world point to the Nation of Israel from long ago wanting that kind of experience with God.

But the history of Israel which has been recorded tells me that I should not want this.

The reason - there are great disadvantages. 

The first and foremost is the loss of personal freedom; the freedom the Apostle Paul so boldly proclaimed and was continually praising God for giving it to Christians by grace.

In ancient Israel, however, there was nothing outside of God's laws and rules.

And amazingly, the closer God came to the people; the further the people withdrew.

To think we modern, educated, sophisticated Christians living under grace would do any different than our forefathers, is to remain in blissful ignorance of the reality we are presented in Scripture.

In our day and age, Christians tend to believe that everyone would follow a God who made Himself obvious.

Certainly, millions would come to faith if only the world was set straight and fairness was universal.

But Scripture tells us otherwise.

King Solomon was known for his wisdom; obtaining 1,000 wives and concubines along with 1,000 mother-in-laws would tend to argue differently.

While that is a common joke, Solomon was very wise but blundered in his ruling of Israel; for, the nation began to model politically the faults of Solomon personally.

Solomon took Israel to its greatest heights as a nation and people; yet he also led Israel from being a nation dependent on God to a self-sufficient Superpower, losing the vision which God had called upon them in the world to perform.

In spiritual terms, as Israel conquered and ruled, the Kingdom of the World began to trump the Kingdom of God.

As this took place, the success and power which the nation and its people obtained soon eliminated any disappointment they may have had in God but it also eliminated their desire for God as well.

The truth is, even today in our lives, the more we obtain the good gifts of grace, the less likely we are to think of the Giver.

Again, many desire the obvious displays of old; but should we?

Examples from Scripture teaches me differently.

If we yearn for the power of God, such as that of Elijah or Elisha, we are craving the wrong things.

Somewhere, my Charismatic and Pentecostal brethren just felt their heart sink and inch; but please hear me out.

You see, this is not a denial of the gifts of the Spirit; nor is it a rebuke of my brethren who may believe slightly differently than myself.

No, this is an appeal for the Church, the Body of Christ, to desire the right things from God that we may reach our sick and sinful society.

Elijah and his successor Elisha were the exceptions among the prophets; the signs and wonders they performed in their time were truly magnificent.

But these two men were but a blip on the screen of history; truthfully, they had no long term effect.

That shouldn't surprise anyone when you take into consideration the fact that the first time left the sight of the nation of Israel they began to worship a gold calf - and they had just seen the plagues decimate Egypt.

But today, the people of God have been blessed; for, the Holy Spirit came and remains with us, in us and among us.

His whisper, His still, small voice came to the prophets of old and was a preview of our modern era.

As He appeared and would one day enter every child of God, He changed how the faithful view the voice of an all-powerful God.

Please don't misunderstand, Elijah and Elisha were great, powerful men of our Holy God.

But we must also examine the faithfulness of other men, such as Micaiah, who stood against Ahab and his prophets.

You see, after Elisha died, the prophets did not have much of a power display; yet, they were full of the Spirit of God.

Instead of power displays, they turned to preaching the very Word of God itself.

Instead of showing the people the power of God in signs, they spoke the Word of God and His power was known.

The Major Prophets had no power displays; instead of miracles and stunning events, they simply looked out among the people and said, 'Thus says the Lord...'

May I ask a bold question?

Shouldn't God's word be enough for us today if it was enough for Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah?

You see, the preaching prophets do something that the power prophets did not do; they give a voice to our disappointments in life.

At times, they were angry with God, disappointed with His decisions, in a fog as to what He was doing and occasionally despondent. 

Is there any Christian who hasn't felt the same at times?

To be blunt, they asked, 'How can an all-just God permit such an unfair, messed up world?'

My friend, that is a wonderful question.

Have you ever read the Bible and missed the questioning of God by the men who proclaimed Him?

If so, let me give you a small sample:

Isaiah once stated that He was 'truly a God who hides Himself...'

Habakkuk was despondent and removed from understanding in saying, 'justice never prevails.'

As Jeremiah watched Jerusalem fall, the King shackled and blinded after witnessing women cook and eat their own children, he simply concluded that God was 'a warrior powerless to save.'

Does this sound like men who fully understood all that God was doing?

Do they sound like modern televangelists today?

In believing Scripture and these Men of God over what passes for the 'leaders' of Christianity today, I must say that anyone who believes a Christian never suffers and all will be roses and sunshine continually - they are truly an idiot speaking falsehoods contrary to the written Word of God and the experience of the People of God.

For here's the amazing thing about what these Godly men said in ancient times: God talked back.

Then and now, God speaks through His preaching 'prophets,' men of God ordained to carry the Word of God to the masses.

And when God spoke to Ancient Israel, He defended how He ran the world; and God wept because he was being locked out.

He pointed to the Prophets themselves, the very men who questioned His justice and judgments, and presented them as proof of His concern.

He had sent them to speak His Words; the people, however, heard the words but did not listen to the meaning from the Lord.

In short, God was saying to them, 'How can you complain about the silence of God when you have the Prophets as His mouthpiece?'

In a similar manner, how can we complain today that God is aloof, or doesn't care, or is removed; especially when He has given us the Church.

You see, God did not consider 'mere words' as an inferior form of proof of His existence,

His truth, His love or His concern.

Words in fact had a much longer-lasting effect than miracles.

Do you doubt?

Elijah and Elisha effected their generation; the words of David are still be sung in the Psalms today.

Let me ask, which of these have a longer effect, or a broader reach?

It is the written Word of God.

The Prophets inscribed for us a permanent record; just as we do today electronically.

And from the questions and statements made above, God answered and it is recorded for us today.

With Isaiah, God did not argue when He was accused of being hidden; it was true. God had withdrew His presence from the people who rejected Him.

With Jeremiah, God was disgusted with what He saw taking place in Israel; the hands meant to pray and praise Him were covered with innocent blood.

With Ezekiel, God saw Israel's rebellion and they had crossed a line; He simply gave them over to their sins - being carted away to another land.

And Zechariah, God had called out to Israel - but they refused to listen. In response, God withdrew and did the same.

Is God shy to our needs today?

Absolutely not.

God has, however, expressed His deepest feelings to us through His Prophets and Apostles; these accounts are written in His Word.

Through we may wish at times for great displays of power through the unexplainable power which God Himself owns, this is not the answer to strengthening our commitment to the Lord.

And though we don't have the same visible out-workings as our forefathers, God has not withdrawn His presence.

For the Christian has the Holy Spirit within, and this power is the greatest known to man.

At times, it may seem God is absent, that in our fallen and disastrous world He is removed.

That is what the ancients thought; they thought wrong.

Search His Word and you will find God very near; concerning our plight, His face is still streaked with tears.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.