Have you ever been in a quandary about what the right decision might be… and wished an angel from heaven with a trumpet would announce to you the answer? I sure have! However, according to this passage of Scripture, an overtly supernatural manifestation is not necessarily the best way for God to communicate with us.
As you probably recognize, this is the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. It seems like what God is saying here is that this kind of supernatural dramatics would not help, in many cases. The disposition of our hearts towards Him will determine whether or not we hear and heed to His voice. External dramatics, much less so. No doubt, for example, if an angel with a trumpet appeared to an atheist with a hard heart towards the existence of God, that atheist would explain the experience away.
This is not to discount the importance of supernatural experiences, when God decides that they are necessary. I actually believe that growing in the supernatural is an essential element of effective Christian living. My own daughter has had vivid visions of heaven, for example, and I’m in awe of that. However, we don’t rely on this kind of thing to root and establish our faith. A steady diet on the Word of God, prayer, worship, and listening is God’s standard plan for nourishing that budding growth within us.
In the Christmas story, we find a telling example of this principle. Both Zacharias and Mary had the astonishing experience of personal angelic visitations. However, these events did not serve to originate faith in their hearts. Rather, Gabriel’s visits exposed what was already in their hearts. Zacharias’ response to his supernatural encounter demonstrated the caliber of his faith, at that time. In contrast, Mary’s response to a nearly identical experience brought to the surface the childlike trust that already characterized her life.
So, if you’re facing a major decision today, and you are wishing that Gabriel would stop by and announce the right thing to do, Daddy God does have provision for you. He is even more intimately aware of your need for guidance than you are. He cares far more than even you do about making sure you walk into the right path for your life. He probably won’t send Gabriel, though (it could happen, but it’s not the usual way). He prefers to speak directly to your heart.
He wants to encourage you, have great confidence that He will show you the best way. Look for His gentle murmur. Look for His inner witness. Look for His peace. They will come, if you make space for them. Jesus has given us this precious reassurance: “Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice” (John 18:37, AMPC).
I love how the Message Bible puts it too: “Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.” Rest easy, dear one. He will make sure you hear Him, if you are longing to do so. You will perceive His message. You will recognize His voice.
My closing thought. Though the Father has an infinite myriad of ways to speak to us, He delights the most in simple, quiet intimacy. When we come to become so familiar with His voice that we immediately distinguish His first whisper, that’s where life is truly found. True faith, the deepest kind, is not to be moored in dramatics, but in His still, small voice.
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How long have you been tuning into the gentle whispers of God? Can you see that you are now more closely familiar with His communication than you used to be?
Feeding On Jesus 
The visit by angels bringing messages resound in the living in the old Covenant. God sent His Ministers to reach His People. After the new Covenant was carved at Calvary only Christ – His Holy Spirit in us should be the Voice of God to direct and guide. However angels are still with us and can be sent by God to protect and comfort or even be seen if this fulfills His Purpose. But, speaking……..the world has seen what happened when after Christ others led and called others to follow because the heard or believed they were told something by an angel, How? Why? Who is the God of the SPIRIT WORLD? God the Holy Spirit….the third Person in the trinitarian nature of our thrice Holy God. Blessings and thank you for thought provoking post.
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This title pulled on me strongly with confirmation! Just a couple of nights ago I crossed paths with a woman I met once and the chances of running into each other again were statically impossible! As it turns out we were both so surprised we ended up staying right at this supermarket and talking for a few hours, and in that very multifaceted conversation we had, I told her about these things I’ve experienced over the years; which are what this title speaks to! I had to write about it the next day!
I always loved the parable of Lazarus and the rich man! Lazarus was a prime example of what I’m going to try saying here, which is that indeed impossible or very special things can and do happen when God so chooses, to intervene or what we call “Divine Intervention” and only He knows when it is appropriate. I have I believe seen angels a couple of times that I recall that where real and interacted with me in given situations that were going to lead to my demise. I also had a couple of visionary experiences where I saw Holy Mary as real as anything I know of as real, as in, what experience I was having each time in a sleepy half in and out semi-conscious waking state did Truly occur. I saw Jesus once in this same way. But, this is not about me and my experiences at all; so I mention these to let you know I’m absolutely unequivocally certain of what I saw and experienced which is, that God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, the Holy Ghost and Holy Mother of God Mary are in heaven where we can absolutely join them for eternity existing in God’s Glory, Joy and in Bliss if we really truly want to; from our deepest genuine hearts.
I had so much to share that I needed to reblog this fine article and testimony; but the reblog feature once activated didn’t complete. So I manual produced a reblog, I truly hope it meets with your approval and inspiration.
God bless you.
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence Morra III
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Sometimes I feel God speaking to me but it’s like the voice is through a room crowded with people. It is at these moments that I realise I am filling in the space with noise or my mind is doing that for me. At those times, I am starting to realise I need to slow down rather than straining and trying more intently to hear what He is saying.
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Hi Hamish! I’m finally getting back to my keyboard enough to at least respond to all the wonderful comments I have missed. I loved reading this one. Learning to listen for His voice is such a journey!
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