In the biography of Lalitha Chellappa (Potter and Clay), she writes about a crisis that overwhelmed the couple. As a last attempt, Chellappa tried to get that problem solved. As he went, there was a beggar singing a beautiful Christian song sitting on the railway platform. He felt that was God’s way of affirming him, and his endeavour was a success. Yes, God speaks to us from unexpected people and contexts. “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.” (Job 33:14)
Donkey: Balaam was in a dilemma: to serve God or serve Mammon/wealth. The offer by the Moabite king Balak, the son of Zippor, was irresistible. Though Balaam knew it is not God’s will to go and curse the people of Israel. He was double-minded. He thought he could go, so that his relationship with Balak is not affected. Lord allowed him to go as per his evil desire. However, he was met with an angel, who could have killed him. The spiritually blind Balaam could not see the angel, his donkey could see him and went aside saving him from death, in the process his legs were pressed against the wall. He beat the donkey. God opened the mouth of the donkey so it could speak. (Numbers 22: 21-35)
Non-Israel king: Josiah was one of the good kings of Judah but died foolishly in a battle. Neco, the Pharoah was going to Carchemish (Northern Syria) to fight against Babylonians in alliance with Assyrians in 609 BC. He had to cross the territory of Judah, and warned Josiah not to fight with him. Josiah failed to listen. “He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo.” (II Chronicles 35:22)
Dream and vision: God spoke to Paul giving him direction to go to Macedonia, through a dream in which a man invited him there. (Acts 16:6-10) Lord encouraged to continue his mission in the city of Corinth through a vision. (Acts 18:9-10)
Do I eagerly expect God to speak?