Conversations with God

 

There are moments when God speaks so clearly it calls for me to stop everything and share it as a testimony of what is true. How do we hold a conversation with God? Of course, Jesus and the prophets clearly showed us. We converse with God through prayer. But how else does He speak to us today? First, we must understand that He doesn't speak to us now exactly as He did in the past.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..." - Hebrews 1:1-2a

Keeping in mind that his Son, Jesus, is Himself the Word (John 1:1), we know that now, God communicates through the Word. Understand that this does not negate the fact that God also speaks to us through the Holy Spirit:

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come". - John 16:13

So, here is part of my conversation with God this morning. As I was reading in Exodus 30:22-38, I came across God's "ingredients" for the holy anointing oil to be used by Aaron and his sons in the tabernacle. This included myrrh, cinnamon, sweet-smelling cane, cassia, and olive oil. As I read, I began to think to myself, "Wow! I wonder if these spices and elements are still available today? To be able to experience that holy aroma of the tabernacle!"

Only a few verses later I read:

"...nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. It is holy; and it shall be holy to you." - Exodus 30:32b

Even more specifically, in reference to the incense:

"Whoever makes any like it, to smell it, he shall be cut off from his people." - Exodus 30:38

First, God takes holiness very, very seriously. These aromas and scents were not created for our pleasure, to simply "smell" in order to experience it. Like all worship, they were for His pleasure. These were for God and God alone. But the fact that He told me this through His written word specifically, directly and immediately - perceiving my thoughts - was a reminder of His presence, power, and intimacy.

He desires conversation with us. Much like the door to the heart upon which He knocks, our bibles, too, must be opened.