Hearing His Voice #88

He is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

Hebrews 8:6

Twice we are reminded that Jesus offers us a “better covenant”—here and in Hebrews 7:22. But better than what? Better than the covenant instituted in a dramatic encounter with God at Sinai. Better than a legal system that allows a priest to enter the holiest place and encounter God directly. Better than the relationship God had with Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets. In fact, better than what has been recorded in the pages of Scripture with ink on paper.

Many tell us that God no longer speaks because everything He has to say to us has been included in the Bible. Yet if God met Moses face to face and merely gave us a book, we do not have a better covenant. If He performed signs and wonders in nearly every book of the Old Testament yet remains silent in our day, we do not have a better covenant. If He spoke directly to prophets of old but never speaks to us personally, we do not have a better covenant. If the written word were better than face-to-face communication, couples would always converse by e-mail and never in person. No, God speaks because we live in the days of the new covenant and the indwelling Spirit. We are redeemed in order to relate to Him. Personally.

Never fall for the deception that God’s general revelation to everyone precludes His personal conversation with us as individuals. Yes, He speaks through His Word and anchors His conversations with us there. But He still speaks specifically into our particular circumstances and in response to our unique needs. He has not fallen silent. He has not sent us love letters from a distant land. He is here, with us and in us, always expressing His heart.

Lord, I embrace every word of Your revelation in Scripture, and I choose to take it personally. Yet I know You give specific direction, too, and I know You enjoy my company. Please keep our conversations lively and refreshing—and very unique to us.