How do you know when God is talking to you? Do you hear a voice? Do you have a dream? Does he send you a text message? Do you get some eerie feeling? Does he show up as an angel in your life? Even then would you believe Him?
Samson's mother had such an experience. She was minding her own business when an angel of the Lord appeared to her as a man. He announced that she, although sterile, would have a child. He also gave her some specific instruction on what to eat or drink and what not to eat or drink. She wasn't sure who he was but suspected he was an angel of the Lord.
Surprised by the encounter she goes home and tells her husband. But Manoah wasn't sure if it was a message from the Lord or not. He prays for confirmation. He wanted to hear the message again, this time for himself. God grants Manoah's request and sends the angel back to his wife with a confirmation message. This time, when the angel shows up she rushes to get her husband.
When Manoah heard the message for himself and the instruction he still doesn't realize that the man is actually an angel from the Lord. He offers a sacrifice to the Lord for the good news of a coming child. But to their amazement, the angel ascends to heaven in the flame. And suddenly they realize, they've been talking to the angel of the Lord.
Now I've never had that experience where an angel ascends to heaven in the flame of a burnt offering. I've cooked a lot of steaks on a grill but no angel. So how do I know when God has given me a message? If Manoah and his wife, didn't know when God sent a personal messenger until the flame experience, how do I know when God is speaking to me?
For a lot of people, determining when God is directing their life is just as puzzling. Because of the mystery, some people look for some miraculous sign or some personal sign. Others look for various evidences or voices from others to confirm their own aspirations. Some figure God would never speak to them so they don't even bother listening for the Lord or simply ignore any message.
The good news is that God today has given us His spirit to live within us. For everyone who becomes a follower of Christ, God indwells them. The spirit within us speaks to our heart and mind, makes clear God's truths in His Word, guides our steps. Although Manoah wasn't privileged to have the indwelling presence of God's spirit within him, he knew to seek the Lord's guidance and confirmation. The key to understanding God's direction is to seek Him. God's spirit within us will confirm his instruction through God's Word, through God's messengers, spiritual teachers/preachers, and through intense prayer.
God, what a joy to know that you are interested in our personal lives. What a joy to know you want to communicate with us. It's so easy to get so busy that we ignore you or that we are so eager to fulfill our own wants and dreams that we create our own message from you. Help me Lord to seek you daily and earnestly and to seize your plan, even if it doesn't make sense to me.
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