God Speaks Through a Police Officer

Some years ago my husband was pulled over by a police officer as he made a right hand turn onto the street leading to our house. After the officer took his license and registration, he asked,

 “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“I really don’t.” my husband answered.

“Well, you didn’t have your turn signal on. But that is not the main reason. Did you know someone is selling drugs out the back of your store?”

“No, I don’t know what you are talking about. I have never seen anyone selling drugs.”

“I have to ask you, do you do drugs?” the officer asked.

“No Sir, I don’t.”

“Our substation has been monitoring the activity going on in the alley behind your store and we believe someone inside your store is selling drugs and the transactions are taking place outside your back door.

My recommendation is that you halt all activity out that door and in the alleyway. Because, the next time we see it happening we will raid your store and take everyone in for questioning.” he said.

The next morning my husband called the three men who worked in the back of the shop, and used the back door frequently, into his office. He told them he was locking and bolting the door, and all activity, smoking or having “friends” drop by to visit them in the back alley was to cease. They were only allowed to use the front door where everything was visible and no one was allowed to visit them during work hours.

He had a strong suspicion as to which man was selling the drugs, but no actual proof, besides the officer’s words. Bolting the door solved the problem or at lease moved the problem somewhere else.

We were grateful to God for sending that police officer to warn us about what was happening in our store. We had no idea, but our God, who sees everything, knew and interceded on our behalf.

Throughout the Bible God used people and circumstances to warn people.

God used a dream to warn Joseph and the king of Egypt of the coming famine in the land.

God used Moses to warn the Egyptian Pharaoh to set the Hebrews free.

He used an angel to warn Mary and Joseph to flee Bethlehem with baby Jesus.

He used Balaam’s donkey to warn him not to curse the Hebrew people.

And He used a police officer to warn us of the illegal activity going on in the back of our store.

The Bible is filled with warnings for us as well:

“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” 1 Corinthians 10:11

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Has God ever used a person or event to warn you of something? We would love to have you share it in the comments below.

How Loud Does God Have to Be?

The Bible says God speaks to us in a “still small voice.” But, sometimes it seems He goes to extreme measures to cause us to hear Him, especially when we are disobeying what He already told us to do or stop doing.

A friend shared this story with me:

"I had a nagging issue that haunted my life for years… alcohol.  I was not an alcoholic, but I was married to one.  As a bible believing Jesus follower, I abstained from alcohol for 8 years hoping it would help my husband to quit drinking. However, he never quit and it infuriated him that I did not drink. I know the Bible does not state that alcohol use is a sin, but only drunkenness. Ephesians 5:18 says. “Do not get drunk on wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  But for me and my situation, I knew God wanted me to avoid all alcohol.

Most of my Christian friends drink alcohol on occasions and do not get drunk. My husband begged me to be more relaxed and drink again. I considered how others drink and they still love Jesus. Finally, I caved as I reasoned that Jesus drank wine too, right?  I determined that I would only have limited alcohol on special occasions… just a glass of wine- like Jesus.  Special occasions became more frequent.  One glass became two.

One night I went with my girlfriend to a “special occasion” make -up party.  It had been a rough week so I jumped at the opportunity for some fun. 

My friend drove me home from the party and I realized I was supposed to go pick up my daughter from church. Usually her dad picked her up, but he was gone, so I zipped out to get her.  While I was driving her and her friend home, I started to switch lanes but then realized there was a car next to me.   And, I may have heard a faint noise -possibly the sound of my car tapping an object.  Both of our vehicles pulled over to assess any damage- no dents, just a dab of my car’s paint rubbed on his mirror.  

Rather than take responsibility for the minimal damage, I told him I could not be sure who was at fault, (my insurance agent taught me this clever trick).  The other driver called the police.  The cop came to my window and asked if I had been drinking alcohol.  I nervously answered “yes, a glass, well, actually two half glasses of wine.”  My mind was reeling. “Why in the world did I drink alcohol and then drive?” Actually, “Why in the world did I even drink alcohol?”  

The DUI officer gave me a breathalyzer test and arrested me.  When he handcuffed me and shoved me into his vehicle, I immediately heard the powerful voice of GOD!  It was not an audible voice but it was clearly recognizable and decisive.  God told me that He would not be mocked, that He had warned me prior to quit alcohol but that I had not listened.   He conveyed that I was to immediately quit drinking alcohol and to thank the DUI officer.  I praised God for the lesson and then I thanked the officer, explaining to him what God told me about quitting all alcohol.  (I wish I could say that the officer trusted that I learned a valuable lesson and released me!)  No, I was shaken to the absolute core for 21 hours until my release from jail.  I considered all the “what if’s” and am eternally grateful that no one was hurt!  I was deeply repentant, bearing huge regret over my dreadful choices.  It would have been much easier if I had listened to the Lord’s sweet, quiet voice earlier… then He wouldn’t have had to yell!  And yet, in my jail cell the Lord spoke love and forgiveness over me.  

In James 1:2, Paul writes, “Consider it all joy when you endure trials.”   If we listen to HIS voice in trials, then the eyes of our hearts are enlightened to consider it pure joy.  With divine purpose, our glorious God made beauty from ashes.  I am delighted to live 100% alcohol free and my children are better off because of it.   Now I try more diligently to listen and obey HIS sweet, quiet voice before it gets loud."

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Have you had a time when God went to extremes to get you to listen to Him? Have you found it is easier to listen and obey the first time you hear Him?

In the month of October I wrote a series called 31 Days of Hearing God. If you missed it, you can click on the links below.

Day 1: Take Off Your Sandals

Day 2:  God in the Grocery Store

Day 3:  God in the Grocery Store - Part2

Day 4:  Peeking During Prayer

Day 5:  How Do We Know God's Voice?

Day 6:  A Young Mom, Toddler Toys and Hearing God

Day 7:  Hearing God When Making Decisions

Day 8:  Lining Up Those Ducks

Day 9:   Hearing God for Our Kids

Day 10: God or Genie in a Bottle?

Day 11: The Perfect Day to Hear God

Day 12: Hearing God in a Crisis

Day 13:  7 Ways to Test an Impression

Day 14:  Remote Assignment

Day 15:  God's Silence

Day 16:  Hearing God While Dating

Day 17:  Hearing God Bible Verses

Day 18:  What Others Say About Hearing God

Day 19:  Hearing God Through Distractions

Day 20:  Hearing God as a Child

Day 21:  Hearing God in Confusion

Day 22:  Hearing God's Encouraging Voice

Day 23:  Hearing God on a Tractor

Day 24:  An Email Confirmation

Day 25:  Do You Really Want to Hear From God?

Day 26:  Why Hear God?

Day 27:  Are You Texting God?

Day 28:  Hearing God in Our Depression

Day 29:  To Hear God We Must Know God

Day 30:  Desperate to Hear God

Day 31:  Desperate to Hear God (Part 2)