I still remember quite vividly a seminary professor I had who would frequently shout to his students, “Speak up!” He must have been hard of hearing. Questions always were encouraged and his answers sharp and insightful, but he had very little patience with inquiries posed by timid, soft-spoken seminarians, sitting in the back row of the classroom. God has made us humans to be the crown of creation (Gen. 1:26-27, Ps. 8:6-8). We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). But no one I know and trust has been given the ability to read minds. If we want people to know what we are thinking, we have to speak up.

That is exactly what God has done throughout history. He wants us to know what He is thinking and He has spoken. He has done this in many ways. He has spoken through angels (e.g., Luke 1:11 -19, the word “angel” means “messenger”), dreams (e.g., Gen.

20:3-6), visions (e.g., Gen. 15:1), prophets (e.g., Judg. 6:7-10), and apostles (e.g., Luke 9:1-2). The name Malachi means “my messenger”. He received a message from God, and it was his task to present that message to God’s people (Mal. 1:1) just as John the Baptizer did many years later (Mal. 3:1).

All of these visions, dreams, and messengers, point to a greater messenger who was yet to come. Moses wrote, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to Him. . . . I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put My words in his mouth, and He will tell them everything I command Him. If anyone does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name, I Myself will call him to account” (Deut. 18:15-19). So also the author of the letter to the Hebrews writes, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2).

Today God speaks to us through His Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Just as your words reveal your thoughts, so Jesus, in His preaching and teaching and dying, reveals the thoughts of God (John 1:14). Concerning His teaching, Jesus could say, “These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the Father who sent Me” (John 14:24). God wants us to hear what He has to say through Jesus. At the transfiguration of Jesus the voice of the heavenly Father said, “This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7).

Through His final and most important of all messengers—Jesus Christ, God speaks to you His message of sincere love. His love for you is great (John 15:13). His love for you is everlasting (Rom. 8:35-39). No one needs to tell God to “Speak up!” He has spoken loudly and clearly in His Son Jesus Christ—to tell you that He loves you now and forever.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the tremendous love You have given me through Christ Jesus—the greatest of all Your messengers. Help me to trust in that love always. Embolden me to love others as You have loved me. Amen.

Visits: Hit Counter

Updated: Wednesday June 02, 2010