The Loving Heart of Our Wonderful God

I’ve been learning over the years to discern God’s voice.

I know from Scripture that God speaks to His servants in many ways —dreams, visions, audible voice, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Joel 2:28 tells us so. And who can forget God’s “gentle whisper” to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)? Over the years, people have repeatedly said to me, “Thank you for obeying the Holy Spirit.” It might have been that I called them or sent some item that they desperately needed. One particular morning was no different.

After my devotions, I had a strong urge to call my younger brother. The call itself was less than a minute long. “Good morning,” I said simply.

“I have a message for you. A woman named Jasmine asked me to tell you that she loves you.” So why did I deliver my own message in the third person? I did so because that’s my way of gift wrapping my love. My brother accepted the gift with a touching catch in his voice. Having delivered the gift, I said goodbye and hung up the phone. About an hour later, he called back. “I want to thank you for being obedient to the Holy Spirit,” he said. My brother has been fighting cancer while still working every day and trying to fight off the fear of either himself or his wife contracting the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic. “I was in very low spirits when I received your call,” he informed me. As I listened to my brother, tears came into my eyes. I, in turn, thanked him for sharing.

Feedback is important in God’s work because it strengthens the faith of the servant who delivers the message. My tears were also tears of joy.

It’s wonderful to know that God loves and demonstrates His love for us, even in such small ways. I contemplated 1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (NIV).

These words are so true. Nodding my head, I reminded myself that our Father is the best. I truly thank God for His abundant love and compassion.

Jasmine E. Grant