How do we hear from God?
Some would tell us to go on a journey. God is everywhere, and when we search for him, we find him. The more in touch with the world we become, the more we will hear from God.
Others would tell us to look inward. We’re good at heart, and our problem is that we have lost the connection to our goodness. The more in touch we get with our true selves, the more we will realize that the power of God is within.
But what does the Bible say?
The Bible says we hear from God not through connections to creation or ourselves but in connection to the Scriptures. Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.” The Old Testament Scriptures reveal God to us. But they don’t reveal all of God to us. He also gave us the New Testament because to understand God to the extent he desires we need to see him in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:2 says, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” When we open our ears to what the Bible says, we hear God.
Jesus is the final word from God because Jesus is God. So to hear clearly from God we need to hear clearly from Jesus. And Hebrews is all about Jesus. It presents to us the person and work of Christ in clear words to people with stopped ears. The people this author is preaching to are wondering, “Is Jesus worth it anymore?” Nothing could be more relevant to our times.
So how can we be sure Jesus is worth following all the way to the end? We have to hear from God. The author of Hebrews works hard to prove to us that Jesus is better than every other alternative. He’s the complete savior for complete sinners. He’s always there when we need him. His work is eternally sufficient. His grace is never-endingly free.
