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In times past God communicated to men in various ways (Heb. 1:1). That He spoke directly with an audible voice, such as when He told King Nebuchadnezzar he was no longer king (Dan. 4:31), is not questioned. God communicated with men through visions and dreams (Nu 12:6). He interacted through the use of the Urim and Thummim (Lev. 8:8; Nu. 27:21). He addressed men through angels, as He did at the “burning bush” (Ex. 3:2). He conversed with the people through prophets (Deut. 18:20-22; 1 Sam. 28:6). And, on one occasion after the cross, he spoke to men through the use of “lots” to tell the apostles who would replace Judas (Acts 1:23-26).
All of the above is not questioned by Bible believers. But some, seemingly having failed to read the SECOND verse of Hebrews 1, insist that God speaks directly to them today. (This is true even though MOST would not claim that God talks to them in ANY of the ways noted above.) However, Hebrews 1:2 tells us that in these last days God speaks to us through His Son—meaning through His inspired word—the New Testament.
So how is God speaking to those who claim to hear Him today? Is it through prayer? No, prayer is man talking to God. And God's answering prayer is simply a response to the prayer—not communication. Does God speak to us through nature? No. Nature may cause one to think and conclude that there has to be a Creator, but this is not really communication; it is certainly not an audible voice revealing to one something that is not disclosed to others. Does God speak through other Christians? No, when other Christians seek to bring another in line with God’s word it is THEY who are speaking as they are directed by the word of God (Gal. 6:1). “After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "’Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it’" (Acts 13:15). The people were hearing from God when the Bible was being read. This passage puts words of exhortation related to the message into a different category —men speaking.
I believe God causes things to happen today through divine providence. This is how He accomplishes His will—through the laws of nature, which is not considered to be a miraculous deed. (A miracle is an act of God that transcends the law of nature. Such happenings have “ceased” [1 Cor. 13:8-11].) We may pray for something we need, and God causes it to happen, but we cannot know for sure that He did. Oh, we may feel moved by it and THINK God has said something to us. It may even prick our conscience and result in repentance. But if we want to HEAR from God and know for certain He is speaking to us, we just need to open His book and read.
I shall end this study by quoting some passages related to the benefits of reading the Bible to hear from God.
Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Additional reading:
http://totalhealth.bz/divine-providence.htm
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