A Call from God

Getting a call from God was unusual but not unheard of as one reads the Bible. However, if you were the recipient of such an interaction, life changed.

Almost all of the calls from the Almighty included: bright illumination, a voice that was hard to describe except that it was overpowering, some type of physical reaction by the mortal to whom the call was directed (falling down was a regular response) and then an acknowledgement that it was God who initiated the contact.

The Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel is a case in point. He describes his encounter with God in the first three chapters of the book in the Bible that bears his name.

He sees God in the appearance of fire with brightness all around and he falls on his face (1:27-28). Then God speaks to him (Chapters 2 & 3). The Spirit lifts him up and he hears the proclamation: Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place.

This call to Ezekiel precedes receiving his commission or mission because God had directed him to do something specific.

There are amazing similarities when others who received their calls from God. It is interesting to compare all of these to each other.

Moses Exodus 3:1-7

Isaiah Isaiah 6:1-8

Zechariah Zechariah 1:7-21; Zechariah 2:1-13

Saul/Paul Acts 9:3-18

John Rev. 1:9-17

God's calls today may be different in the way He sends them, but I believe there is still: illumination of understanding, hearing God's voice through scripture and thoughts, a physical reaction of doing what he says do or stop doing things you know are evil and there must be an acknowledgement that He is God.

Ezekiel and others had very dramatic calls from God; our somewhat less spectacular receptions do not minimize how essential His direction is in your life.

If you would like to talk about God's Call join our conversation at www.hopeforlife.org or email me at bbrant@heraldoftruth.org.