“Noah, when warned (by God) . . saved his family.” Hebrews 11:7 NIV
“God’s warnings are best heard by those who live with a heart open toward God.”
My thoughts today are about “God’s warnings.”
God communicates with those whose hearts are open before Him. God speaks through the Bible, through prophets messengers, through Christ the Living Word (Colossians 1:28 NKJV), through creation (Psalm 8:3-4 NLT), through history (See 1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV), through signs and wonders, through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17 NKJV), and by impressions from the Spirit of God (John 16:13-13 NIV). He does so to instruct, encourage, guide, inspire, and to make wise. “God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night . . He whispers in their ear . . with His warning. He causes them to change their minds.” Job 33:14-17 NLT.
There are times when God communicates with people by impressions and/or quiet thoughts – more in your heart and spirit than to your reasoning. He uses your natural senses, knowledge and understanding, rational intellect, emotions, and your spiritual sensitivities. His communication may ordinarily be inaudible but is real, not imaginary. Does He speak to hearts and lives today, or did He speak only to people in the Bible, or does He speak at all? History – both Biblical and subsequent history – is filled with people to whom God has spoken.
There is a reason that Jesus repeatedly reminds people, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says . . To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.” Revelation 2:7-3:22 NIV/ Jeremiah 6:10 NIV. The matter is not so much about God’s ability to communicate as it is about your own willingness to listen and your wanting to hear. I think God’s voice is best “heard” by people who train themselves to live with a heart open toward God, well grounded in a working knowledge and appreciation for the written Word, a continual willingness to obey, and a spiritual sensitivity to recognize His voice. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21 NIV.
Of the many instances the Bible gives, Noah is a good example of God’s warnings. In the old Testament’s record his story is chapters long. Genesis 6:1-9:17. Noah and his family’s story are summed up here in just one verse. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Hebrews 11:7 NIV. Anything else is just history; this single verse tells His story!
There was a lot at stake, many people’s lives and safety for instance, and especially his own family’s safety. When God “warned about things not yet seen,” it took a remarkable faith for Noah to obey God’s voice in his heart. God does not busy Himself with irrelevant chatter. A person would be a fool to ignore God’s warnings. You can learn this from Noah’s example: one’s trust and confidence in God Himself comes before being confident in what you hear.
My prayer for you today is that you know God well, and trust and recognize His voice.