By Rev Eric Mbusa
Does God still speak?
In an age of noise and distraction, this question echoes through the hearts of many. Some hear it in times of crisis, others in quiet moments of reflection. The Bible tells us that God has always been a speaking God, a God who calls, comforts, corrects, and commissions. But is He still speaking today? The answer is a resounding yes.
From the opening pages of Scripture, we see a God who initiates conversation. He spoke the world into being. He called out to Adam in the garden. He guided patriarchs, prophets, and kings with His voice. And in the New Testament, He continued speaking through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let us journey through Scripture and explore how God has spoken in the past, and how His voice still reaches us today.
God spoke in the past
When God called to Moses from the burning bush: “Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:4), He was not just issuing a command. He was initiating a relationship. That encounter marked a turning point not only for Moses, but for an entire nation.
Similarly, when the boy Samuel heard his name in the night: “Samuel! Samuel!” (1 Samuel 3:10), it was not a random event. God was calling a young heart into His service, proving that age or experience are no barriers to divine communication.
The prophet Isaiah heard God ask, “Whom shall I send?” (Isaiah 6:8). That question still rings out today to those who are willing to say, “Here am I. Send me.”
In the midst of suffering, Job heard God speak from a whirlwind (Job 38:1), reminding us that even in our storms, God has not gone silent. To Jeremiah, God’s word came with clarity and purpose (Jeremiah 1:4), just as it came to Ezekiel with instruction and expectation (Ezekiel 3:10). To Daniel, wisdom was revealed in a vision (Daniel 2:19), proving that God can communicate in ways beyond our understanding.
God spoke through Christ
In the New Testament, God’s voice came with power and clarity. The angels declared the birth of Jesus to shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened, and a voice proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
God still speaks through Jesus, who said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). The relationship between Christ and His followers is rooted in communication. He speaks; we listen and respond.
When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, a voice asked, “Why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4–6). That encounter transformed a persecutor into a preacher. When Peter received a vision from God saying, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15), it was a divine call to break cultural barriers and extend the gospel to all people.
God still speaks today
So how does God speak today? Not always through burning bushes or booming voices, but often in quiet, unmistakable ways.
He speaks through prayer. As we still our hearts before Him, many testify to a deep sense of guidance and peace (Philippians 4:6–7). He speaks through Scripture, where ancient words come alive with fresh meaning for present challenges (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
He speaks through dreams and visions, just as He promised in Joel 2:28. Many believers, especially in times of uncertainty, report dreams that bring clarity or encouragement.
God also speaks through nature. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens declare His glory. The beauty of creation points to a Creator who communicates through what He has made.
In worship gatherings, God often moves hearts, confirms direction, and imparts wisdom (Matthew 18:20). And through miracles and testimonies, He reminds us that He is still at work, still present, still speaking.
Are we listening?
The question, then, is not whether God speaks,but whether we are listening. God’s voice may not always come with thunder or flames. Often, it comes as a whisper, a nudge in the spirit, a Scripture that leaps off the page, a word from a friend that carries divine weight.
To hear God is to posture ourselves in humility and faith. It means making space for silence, leaning into His Word, and trusting that the God who spoke then still speaks now.
In a world that prizes volume and speed, may we become people who slow down and tune in. For when God speaks, it is never without purpose. His words bring life, direction, correction, and hope.
Let us echo the words of young Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” And may we be ready not only to hear, but to obey.
