Judges 6:36,37
‘Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel through me, as You have spoken, behold, I am putting a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will save Israel through me, as You have spoken.”’
Gideon gave us the example of laying out a fleece to verify if something is of God. I’ve never done as Gideon did with a fleece, but I do it with other things. Pastor Buddy from Saddleback Church gave us an example of this. It had to do with asking God if an action was acceptable with God. He would pray, “Lord, I’m going to do this. If it’s not ok with You could You let me know?” I like this. I’ve drifted from doing it, but now that it is in mind, maybe I should adopt it again.
To be clear the bible is our guide. This practice is only to be done with things in which the bible is silent. Some may ask, “How do you know when God has spoken?” It could be an impression, a thought or often it’s an obstruction. An example of this is I was going to do something. I had driven to the place had parked the car ready to turn it off when an amazing song came on the radio. I had to listen to it. I saw that as an obstruction. A very slight road block that interrupted my act of turning the car off. That was enough for me. I didn’t follow through with the action.
Could I be wrong? Yes. If it was something I had more investment in I may continue to ask. It may be God is ok with it.
I had difficulty with what I saw as perceived God’s nudges as a young christian. I had a poor understanding of God’s love and grace. My faith exposure growing up seemed to emphasize sacrifice and service. In my mind, I couldn’t do enough. The WWHD phrase was punishing. If I had any free time I should somehow be serving. My conscience was merciless.
I can recall a friend saying that he didn’t think God worked that way. I liked that, but it didn’t help. The verse that started the deliverance was 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Much of my obedience was out of compulsion. God didn’t want that type of sacrifice.
I backed way off. I read a book that said that God doesn’t speak to us personally. So, I lived that way for a couple of years. It felt like recovering from something. However, God’s voice would be there. I learned to differentiate between His voice and the enemy. God’s messages draw us closer to Him while the enemy brings shame and drives us from Him.
Now I welcome His voice. Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.”
Thank You, Lord, for speaking to us. What a privilege.