God Speaks Through People
Tents of Mercy Congregation
Kiryat Yam, Israel
My earthly father used to tell me, “You’ll understand this one day, but there are so many things I want to teach you and show you.” Likewise, our heavenly Father wants to communicate with us. One of the ways He speaks is through other people.
After I finished the army, I went through a confusing season. Everything seemed to point toward moving to Jerusalem. Just as I thought I had made my decision, I heard Peter Tsukahira preach about staying where God has placed you. As I listened, I felt like the message was directed at me. I stayed in northern Israel, eventually got married – and here I am at Ohalei.
There are at least four ways God speaks through people.
1. Through Prophets
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is surrounded by an overwhelming enemy army. He calls the people to fast and seek God. Then the Spirit of God comes upon Jahaziel, who says: “Do not be afraid. This battle belongs to God.” Jehoshaphat responds, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will succeed.” God speaks through people prophetically, but we still need to exercise wisdom. Prophets are not always right, and their words must be tested against Scripture.
2. Through Community
In Acts 15, the leaders of the early church come together to discuss an important question. At the end they conclude, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us...” I love that phrase. Faith community is a place where we listen together. There we test what we believe we are hearing.
3. Through Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12 speaks of gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation – given for the benefit of the whole body. I’ve personally experienced this. Once, after preaching in Jerusalem, I invited the people to pray. While praying, I suddenly felt like God gave me a whole “download” about a woman in the room I had never met. I even somehow knew her name. She was shocked. Standing at a crossroads in her life, I told her something about how she would get through it and succeed. That’s why Paul encourages us to desire spiritual gifts. Yet order is still needed – 1 Corinthians 14 says that two or three should speak, and the others should judge or test what is said. The purpose is not for people to be impressed by us. The purpose is to build up and edify.
4. Through People God Brings Into Our Lives
In Acts 9, while staying in Jaffa, Peter receives a vision that leads him to Cornelius the Roman centurion in Caesaria. God connected them and spoke to each through the other. Sometimes He does the same thing with us. He can bring someone into our lives in a café, or somewhere completely ordinary, in order to communicated a message to us.
How Do We Respond?
A. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Hebrews 12 tells us to run with perseverance while looking to Yeshua. If I keep looking to people, they will eventually disappoint me. But when my eyes are on God, I have stability.
B. Ask God to teach you to see Him in others. God lives in His people. He can speak through our brothers and sisters – even when they annoy us, make mistakes, and stumble over their words. Their imperfections don’t mean God cannot use them. So let’s have respect, reverence, and acceptance for one another.
God speaks through Scripture. He speaks through the Holy Spirit, circumstances, dreams, community, spiritual gifts, and people. Let’s not limit Him. God wants us to hear everything He longs to say to us!
