Does God Shout?

Thursday, February 6, 2014
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus"1 (Lyrics)

John 14:26-27 – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV)

When we open our hearts to God, and position ourselves physically and mentally in a quiet place, God sends us messages of guidance through the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Sometimes, the messages are clear to us; sometimes, we miss or misunderstand them. For that reason I have always included in daily prayers a request to open my eyes and ears to His daily guidance.

At other times, His communications are so subtle that they are judged by some to be a coincidence. I have even found strong, timely, personal messages directed to me in many devotionals, like a recent PresbyCan Daily Devotional, whose author described her long and trying struggle as caregiver to her ailing husband, who passed away after years of bravely dealing with a debilitating illness. Her message hit home with me, as I had just recently been made aware that my husband had terminal cancer. Her words were helpful and poignant, pointing out certain circumstances that applied directly to me. It was, most certainly, a message of comfort at just the right time.

But there are so many ways that God connects with His children. For example, God has always spoken to me through music in my quiet times.

About ten days before my husband and I received the bad news, I was watching a Gaither Gospel Hour program on television. I don't always catch the show, and indeed, it was almost finished when I tuned in as a group was singing "Jesus Saves". It lasted awhile, as certain different singers offered their rendering of each verse. I found myself singing along to the end, hearing words that I had long since forgotten in my youth.

I awakened the next morning with that song on my heart, loudly and clearly, and it continued throughout the day … and the next day. After three days, I began to wonder when it would end, and whether it was just an "ear worm", so persistent it was.

After the fourth day, I began to ask what God was telling me, for by then, I saw it as a message. And it was not a gentle refrain — it was loud. Just as "ALL CAPS" is declared shouting in literature, this song was uppermost in my mind from dawn to dusk and wanted attention. As time went on, I found myself wondering what God wanted me to know, and feeling that I just didn't "get it". But He was persistent, and the one thing that got through to me was that something was about to happen.

After we received the diagnosis, I certainly understood … in part. I wondered whether He was planning to grant us healing or whether my not-yet-believing husband would indeed be "saved".

Well, the song continues in my heart to this day, and from that, I have all the answers I need. I know that God is with us and that He is in control. I believe that He continues to send the message to emphasize His promise to us when He sent His Son: Jesus saves!

We can be deeply grateful for God's loving messages, be they subtle or strong, always being vigilant and sensitive to His Spirit, so as not to miss any.

Prayer: Dear Father Lord, thank You for Your loving care of us, Your children. Please continue to send us Your messages of hope and love. We want to hear and understand them, so open our hearts, allowing our human frailties to be overridden, to let us view and hear Your guidance clearly, as we know so well that Yours is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Your will be done, dear Father. Amen.

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About the author:

Deana Weyman <deana@sympatico.ca>
King City, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thanks Deana for an encouraging word.


    Lovely devotional Deana. Thanks for sharing.


    Dear Deana, what a wonderful encouraging message of hope. Thank you.


    Thank you Deana for sharing this with us. I can relate to similar how this has happened in my life also through music. Thank you for sharing this. It has been a gentle reminder for me.


    Deana – Did I miss something? Did you say whether your husband has accepted the Lord? Jesus does save; I am believing that hope with you.
    (California, USA)


    Thank you dear Deana for your message of hope. I have this peace in my heart this morning after reading YOUR devotional. I received my gift from God this morning as He spoke to my heart through your words.


    Thank you Deana. I find that the words of the Bible composed into hymns one of the best ways for me to remember and “enjoy” the Bible. I will pray for comfort for you and your husband.
    (Texas)


    Thanks for sharing your story today and may God continue to speak into your heart with words of peace and strength as you need them. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
    Blessings.


    Thank you for your devotional. And thanks be to God, that he persists when we at first may not hear, or may not respond. It seems to me though, that the very important things from God always get through. We just have to follow. Don’t doubt that His blessings will always be upon you.
    (BC)


    Dear Deana. Thank you for today’s devotional. May your faith and love of God guide you through the times ahead with your husband. It may be early, but a book you may find helpful titled “Final Gifts” was written by two Hospice Nurses: Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley to help guide people and their loved ones when coping with a terminal illness. It won’t be an easy journey, but sharing life’s most difficult time together can be a rewarding one. God Bless and be with you both.


    Thank you Deana for such an Inspirational Devotional. I shall be praying for you and your husband as you take this difficult journey together. May God give you daily and courage as you face each new day. Your Devotional will give comfort to others who may find themselves in a similar situation.
    Thankfully, Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, will never leave our side irregardless of the trials we face in this life.


    Dear Deana,
    Within the past several years I have also been my husband’s main caregiver. The Lord took him home last year, after three months in hospital waiting for a bed in a Long Term Care facility. There were many difficult days and nights, and all I could do was to cry out to the Lord for strength and comfort for both of us. I found Him to be all that I needed and the experience certainly reinforced what I knew all along, that He never leaves us or forsakes us. So, whatever happens with your husband, know that you will not go through the valley alone. I pray that your husband will come to know the Lord soon.
    Blessings.


    Dear Deana,
    God can, if he chooses to do so, shout; but it seems that more often for me he speaks in his “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) and assures us that he is with us pleading and reminding and urging us to follow his Word and Way.
    “I wondered whether He was planning to grant us healing or whether my not-yet-believing husband would indeed be “saved”.”
    I pray that, if your husband is still alive, he will be healed — at least for as long as he will need to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, then that he will live to enjoy the kingdom of God on earth and in heaven.
    Could you read the book, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL with him?
    God loves you and your husband.
    I pray for God’s best for you both.


    Dear Deana,
    As Christians we can be used as a vessel to speak to confirm, or initiate, a word from God to others no matter how daft it may seem to the speaker. I guess it is a less intimidating way of divine communication to confirm that you are not just imagining it?
    John 14:27:- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)
    As I prayed for your situation I did feel that the latter part of the verse was truly yours for today. Sometimes it is tough to hear God’s peace when we are travelling through troubled waters. Good intentions do not cut it, but God’s Word does!
    However, I pray that you and your husband may know God’s tangible Presence and Peace at this time of transition and waiting on God, and may He send an angel to guard over your house and keep you safe from harm, in Jesus’ name, amen.
    Blessings.


    Deanna: Praise God for the knowledge that He is always with us. I pray for His presence for your husband, and with you.
    (BC)


    Deana, thank you for sharing this message with us.
    My prayers are with you as you and your husband go through this difficult period.
    May God give you strength and courage in the days ahead.

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