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The Lord Listens
Andrea Lende • October 19, 2020
Psalm 4:3
The Lord Listens
You may also listen to the meditation and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/The-Lord-Listens-el8hgt
Psalm 4:3
“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord listens and heeds when I call to Him.”
Conversations happen all the time.
People talk with one another regularly.
The question is, do we hear each other?
Many times, I listen just so that I can speak to the situation.
But as I read this verse today, I found myself questioning and wondering if I really listen.
I tend to want to speak before the other person is done talking.
I want to interject my thoughts and feelings about the topic being discussed.
I anxiously await the other person’s hesitancy and break in when there is the slightest hesitation.
That isn’t really listening.
King David tells us that God listens.
He never interjects before I am done pouring out my heart to Him.
God is patient.
This reminds me of the verse in I Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient and kind.”
The very first description about love is that it is patient and kind.
God loves us as He listens to us.
He hears us.
I am thankful the loving God we serve listens, hears, and is patient with me as I share my thoughts and cares with Him.
Today I choose to show more love to those around me by being patient and listening to them – really hearing them – before I speak to their needs or issues.
May you find that as you are patient with those whom you love, you will be able to listen to them and really hear them.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for being so very patient with me. Thank You for being kind to me and listening to me. Although my life is just a wisp of vapor – short and rather inconsequential – You actively listen to me and are attentive to my needs. Thank You, Father, for caring so much about me that You take the time to hear my thoughts, desires, and cares. Thank You for showing me that You deeply care about me. Help me tell You everything that is in my heart. Thank You for hearing me. Cleanse me, Lord, as You listen to my heart. Lead me as I pour my heart out to You. Help me follow You, Lord. Help me do the right thing even when it is difficult to do so. Help me hear Your gentle whispers and be obedient to You, Lord. I desire to be completely Yours, Father. Help me give my whole heart to You. Thank You for loving me unconditionally. Make me Yours for eternity, Lord. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM with you, My child and I dearly want to hear about your innermost thoughts and desires.
Response: Thank You, Father, for listening to my heart, being patient in Your listening, and being kind in Your response back to me.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.