Messages From God

 

One of our daughters had just turned 12 and was determined to convince us that the best birthday gift would be a phone. She wrote a lengthy list of reasons explaining why staying connected to us at all times is so important. Naturally, like most parents, our first response was to give her a history lesson about how we, our parents, and our grandparents grew up with minimal means of communication. I remember stories my grandmother shared about the rare occasions they communicated through telegraphs.

 

I was genuinely impressed when I first learned about the invention of the telegraph story. In the mid-1800s, the first telegraphic message was sent from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. It read, "What hath God wrought?" which means, "Look what God has done." This was revolutionary because it allowed people to send instant messages to other people over long distances using a series of electrical impulses. On the receiving end, these electrical signals were interpreted into words and phrases.

 

Even more impressive is that God established a method of communicating and translating messages with His people thousands of years before the telegraph was invented.

 

Throughout the scriptures, I find instructions for God's people to receive messages from Him. One such method is through prayer and meditation on His word. Daniel chapter 9 shares a detailed example.

 

Daniel begins the chapter by stating, “I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures…” He goes on to explain how he sincerely prayed to God for his people. While Daniel was praying, the angel Gabriel appeared with a message: “I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to deliver to you. Therefore, consider and understand…”

 

When Daniel prayed, God sent a spiritual telegraph (the word). The angel advised Daniel to 'consider', which means to think carefully on it. Daniel was able to receive it through insight and understanding.

This method of communication and receiving messages is just as effective today as it was during Daniel's time. When we start with earnest prayer, God conveys a message to us. We receive this message when we meditate on God's word in the scriptures, and He opens our understanding of it.

“Holy expectancy brings us to God ready to listen, look, and learn in this very moment. The deep listening of meditation teaches us to read, ponder, and listen with our heart being fully present with God.”   -Ginger Harrington-

"Probably there is no greater offense in all of Christendom then speed reading the Bible. The Bible must be read slowly and meditatively allowing the Holy Spirit to open up our understanding.  -A.W. Tozer