Do events happen by chance or is there a purpose behind the events in our lives?  If we believe there is a purpose behind the events in our lives then we acknowledge that God is sovereign.  The Bible provides a comforting perspective, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

What do we mean when we say that God speaks to us through our circumstances?  It doesn’t mean interpreting circumstances through our desires.  When the Apostle Paul was being taken to Rome the sailors were eager to arrive at their destination and they interpreted the favorable weather as being a sign to proceed on their journey.

When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore. But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo;  (Acts 27:13-14)

The situation did not turn out as the sailors had hoped but God’s purposes were accomplished. 

When we think of God of speaking to us through our circumstances it also doesn’t mean manipulating the circumstances to match our desires.  It’s like the man who wanted to lose weight but was not having much success.  He came to work one day with a box of donuts and his coworker said to him, “I thought you were trying to lose weight?”  He said, “I do want to lose weight but I was craving donuts so bad that on my way to work I prayed, ‘God, if you want me to have donuts you will provide an open parking spot for me in front of the donut shop.’”  His coworker responded, “And there was an open parking spot when you went by?”  The man said, “Yes but I had to drive around the block seven times before one opened up.”

Hearing God through our circumstances requires that we correctly discern our circumstances from God’s perspective through His word.  As we consider our circumstances we must be guided by Scripture, gain wisdom and insight from Godly counselors (Proverbs 11:14), and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  Henry Blackaby advises us to see where God is at work and join Him.  We must be sensitive to the events around us realizing that God is sovereign and seek to gain understanding.  Here is an example:

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.  (James 2:15-17)

God may bring people in need into our lives so we can help them – God is at work, we need to join Him!  As we consider the ways that God speaks to us we can have confidence that His inspired and inerrant word is reliable and “. . . is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).  We can also gain insight from other people, the Holy Spirit, and circumstances as we consider decisions such as long-term relationships, choosing a school or selecting a job where the Bible may not provide specific guidance.

When I was in the navy we used range markers to assist us in navigation. Range markers are found in pairs with one higher than the other and they indicate the center line of a channel as they are lined up when you pass through the channel.  As you seek to hear from God use the range markers of His word, Godly people, the Holy Spirit, and your circumstances to enable you to accurately discern His will.