The God Who Speaks

Another way God communicates is through visions and mental images. A picture may come as vivid scene or image in our minds, or as spontaneous thought during prayer. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly used visual revelation to instruct and encourage his people.

When God called Jeremiah, He used simple pictures to convey profound meaning:

“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Jeremiah, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see an almond branch.’ Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.’”
(Jeremiah 1:11-12)

Peter received a life-changing vision that opened the Gospel to the Gentiles:

“And he saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth…And there came a voice to him: ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’”
(Acts 10:11,13)

In Acts 16, Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help, which led him to bring the Gospel into Europe.

The prophet Joel foretold that such experiences would become widespread:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”
(Joel 2:28)

Today, believers sometimes receive pictures that illustrate God’s heart. Because visions can be symbolic, it is important to pray for understanding and test them against Scripture and the counsel of others. When interpreted wisely, these images can bring clarity, hope, courage, or a sense of God’s nearness.

Reflection:
Ask God if there is something he wants to show you. If you receive a mental picture or impression, write it down and pray about its meaning.