“God Gives Specific Directions”
"Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter." (Acts 10:5closeActs 10:5 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (ESV) closeActs 10:5closeActs 10:5 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (ESV) 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (ESV) )
In his commentary on Genesis, Luther reflects on the specificity of God’s directions, not only to Noah, but to us also:
“Someone may ask: Why does God give such detailed directions about everything? The command about getting the ark ready was enough. So far as space and the method of construction are concerned, reason itself sees what must be done, as many outstanding works of craftsmen prove. Why, then, does God instruct Noah so carefully about the length, the width, and the height of the ark, and about covering it with bitumen? Surely in order that Noah, after preparing everything in accordance with God’s direction (just as Moses patterned the tabernacle after the original on the mountain), might believe with greater confidence that he and his people would be preserved, and that he might not become distrustful of the task that God Himself had assigned and had given him orders how to perform. This is the reason why God gives such careful directions about everything.” [1]
The topic of God speaking directly to people is one sure to bring apprehension. If someone says, “God told me….” and the rest of the sentence seems like foolishness, sinfulness, self promotion or downright Satanic; how can you tell them they are wrong; if they are sure that they, “heard from God”?
Luther wrestled through this thorny issue. In his day, there were the Zwickau Prophets; they claimed among other things that God spoke to them directly. The problem is that what they said God was telling them, was not lining up with Scripture.
To help the Church deal with these false teachers; Luther gave this simple instruction:
“Therefore examine [them]27 and do not even listen if they speak of the glorified Jesus, unless you have first heard of the crucified Jesus.”28[2]
It is very important to “test the spirits”; to eagerly examine the Scripture to see if what we are hearing from the pulpit lines up with Scripture. It does not matter, if we have been served by the same Preacher for 20, 30 or more years; a true Preacher rejoices when his flock has their personal Bibles with them, notepad and pen in hand.
One of the marks of a false spirit is that they do not preach or teach Christ and Him crucified. An angel of darkness who masquerades as an angel of light does not want listeners to be educated regarding sin because to focus on sin, reminds us of our need for a Savior.
Luther pointed out that usually, God speaks to us through His Angels or in Dreams, but almost never directly, in Person. This is because as Luther noted, God is an all consuming fire and His consuming righteousness would dry us out so completely; that nothing would be left. And the fact of the matter is, that even His Angels scare us half to death.
Having said all of this; one of the amazing things we see in Acts 10:5closeActs 10:5 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (ESV) closeActs 10:5closeActs 10:5 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (ESV) 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. (ESV) is that God’s directions are often very specific. We are given general directions by God- “Go and make disciples of all nations.” But, He also gives believers specific directions, “Send men to Joppa, bring back Peter.”
It reminds me of Jesus’ directions to His disciples, “Go into the town, you will find a man with a donkey…” How will they know who is the right man? He is the one with the donkey. God is specific.
One of the saddest things which can happen in a believer’s life is if they stop looking for God in their daily walk. But, the believer who talks with God throughout her day, whether working at home or in the office; spending time listening to God is truly blessed among women and men.
Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit. Why? So that He would guide us in all things. Communion with the Holy Spirit, is to hear from God anew.
God’s specific directions are a blessing for your life today. He knows the plans He has for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm; plans to give you a hope and a future. It may look to an unbeliever like your life is a living hell; that nothing is going well; that you are in a hopeless predicament. Christians are not frightened by the cemetery; we know that this is where God works a resurrection!
To “preach Christ crucified” is to clearly & personally understand that we must begin each day, asking God to prune from us, those things which are not of Him. If we daily die with Christ; we will rise with Him also.
We live in a fallen creation; everything and everyone has been corrupted by sin (including ourselves). This is why we must not trust our own wisdom or emotions. What may seem right to us; is usually not what God wants. This is why, when we believe that we have received a specific direction from God; we need to take the time and examine Scripture to see if it is within the freedom we have as Christians. We should spend time in prayer, listening to God; not doing all of the talking.
If you don’t have the time to pray and read God’s word regarding this idea you believe has come from God; then it must be of such an important nature, that God will intervene directly and take care of it Himself.
In addition to Prayer and Scripture; if you believe God has spoken to you, then go to your Pastor, just like Samuel did with Eli. You should also consider the example of faithful women or men in your life and ask yourself, “Does this idea line up with how I saw God work through them?”
God gives you specific directions. He has prepared good works in advance and He went to the trouble of doing this; so that we would actually do these good works.
May this be so to His glory. Amen? Amen!
[1]Luther, M. (1999, c1960). Vol. 2: Luther's works, vol. 2 : Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 6-14 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Ge 6:15).Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
[2]Luther, M. (1999, c1963). Vol. 48: Luther's works, vol. 48 : Letters I (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Vol. 48, Page 367).Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
sometimes when u ar the only person he has given specific instructions to on a matter, it requires courage to stand by it until others who disagree with u get the same message. Mirian challenged Moses. God vindicated Moses. Moses alone got the message to lead the hebrews out of Egypt. God was not against Moses’s choice of wife. Mirian and Korah were against Moses in both matters. God sent vindication.