Does God Still Speak?

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 
– Acts 9:3-4 NIV

Does God still speak to His people? 

I’ve heard and seen folks argue “YES”… and others who will argue “NO.” Both making a very good argument and discussion.

I’ve heard the question a number of times… and I can say that I honestly don’t know. I mean, I’ve personally never had a Damascus experience… but I do believe I have heard from God.

I know that He speaks through His Scriptures. I believe that He speaks through Pastors and Preachers. I believe that He teaches lessons through life circumstances. I believe He can speak to us any time in any way that He so chooses. I mean… He’s God.

Maybe He speaks to us differently now… in a way that we can understand… that matches (does not contradict) what’s in the Bible

Think about it though. All of our Biblical heroes all knew the voice of God.

Moses… Moses

Yes Lord

Go to Pharaoh… back to Egypt…and set my people free

Noah… Noah

Yes Lord

Build an ark… grab the animals…I’m sending a great flood… Now here are the exact specifications.

The same can be said of Jonah (especially after a few days in the belly of a whale), Daniel, Joseph, Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, Mary, Esther. God spoke to each of them in their own special way. Each so they could hear and understand. Each to fulfill God’s plan.

Let’s look at another example from Acts 9. One we we may be more familiar with; Saul and one we may be less familiar with; Ananias.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord” he replied.

Both Saul and Ananias heard from God in different ways.

Saul, on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus, was blinded by a brilliant light and heard the voice of Jesus. He was a deeply religious man. He knew the scriptures as well as anyone, but did not know Jesus. Yet, when he heard Jesus’ voice, he knew it was the voice of the Lord.

Ananias was a follower of Jesus. He was a godly man. He knew the scriptures. He knew Jesus. He heard the voice of the Lord, and knew it was Him.

Ananias heard from the Lord in a vision. And immediately he knew it was the Lord.

He heard from God. He heard and knew His plan, and still questioned. Though he knew it was the Lord, he still had concern, and talked it over with Him. And the Lord made His plans clear. He made clear the reason he had spoken to Ananias… to restore Saul’s sight… to strengthen Saul’s faith… for Saul, later changing his name to Paul, would be God’s instrument to carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles and to the people of Israel. 

The Lord chose Ananias to speak, once again, to Saul. And insure Him that it was the Lord speaking to him.

Does the Lord still speak to His people today?

I believe so… We may just need to listen.

Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem