Walking With Jesus: Five Day Bible Plan With Dr Ernest CrockerSample

Day Four: When does God speak to us?

Communication with God is an ongoing dialogue through life. As a medical registrar I challenged God as to whether he heals today. Within twenty-four hours I found myself praying for a woman who had suffered a cardiac arrest and was not responsive. The words came: "Now’s the time." I prayed and she was fully restored. Just twelve months ago as I was praying, God said to me in that quiet, inner voice, "If I can raise a woman from the dead, I can do anything."

God speaks to us in times of challenge or crisis. He speaks when we need guidance, comfort, wisdom, or support. He speaks in the noisy distraction of the marketplace and in the quietness of our solitude. C.S. Lewis said that God whispers to us in our joy, that he speaks to us daily through our conscience but that he shouts to us when our minds are clouded by pain. It is his means of rousing a deaf world.

He may not always respond immediately but as we wait on him, he will speak into our lives at the appropriate time, often in ways not anticipated, providing guidance far beyond our expectation.  

Professor Graeme Clark, inventor of the bionic ear, as a boy of ten told his Sunday school teacher that one day he would "fix ears." Thirty-three years later the first bionic ear was successfully implanted into Rod Sanders who had lost his hearing in an industrial accident. "It was as though I was in constant conversation with a supreme being," said Clark.

Many of the most important decisions that we will ever make, will be made in our early years: whom shall I marry? What profession will I follow? Will I invest in property etc.? Wrong decisions may impact on the rest of our lives. Likewise in our prime, we need to continue that dialogue, seeking God’s wisdom, courage, and assurance to manage family, professional and life issues. As we increase in age it is so important to remain in lockstep with God as we make decisions about lifestyle, health and maintaining relationships with family and friends.   

Reflect: When does God speak to you?