God Listens (Psalm 31:21-22)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:21-22

I know I’ve written this before, but I’m continually amazed that the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, wants to hear my voice.

Astounding.

He wants to hear my praises. My needs. My intervention for others.

Somehow, amidst the millions of other voices crying out, He hears me. He hears my voice. And He listens.

Astounding.

He invites me to crawl on His lap, lay my head on His chest, and share what’s on my heart.

And He invites you to do the same. Praise Him. Call out to Him. Share what’s on your heart. He’s listening.

To me. To you.

Simply astounding.

Hope in the One Who Hears (Psalm 38:15)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 38:15

"Do you know what’s a huge blessing? God actually listens to us! He’s not like some people—you know the kind I’m talking about—who just appear to be listening.

"He really, truly listens to us when we talk to Him. How do I know?

"Because His word promises that He does and because He’s answered my prayers. We’ve already looked at so many truths from the Bible, and we can trust that His words are true. And the Bible tells us that He really, truly listens.

"Are there days when you feel that no one is listening to you?

"Are there times when you’re longing to share your thoughts, your feelings, and it feels as though no one hears your heart?  

"Do you often wonder if there’s anyone out there?

"There is, my friend. You have the best listener in the universe . . . waiting to hear from you. And there’s nothing you can say that will shock Him or surprise Him. You can say anything, share anything, and He will listen to you . . . and will still love you."

(excerpted from The Best Laid Plans, © 2005 Sauni Rinehart)

Have you ever thought about God listening to you? Talk to Him today, and know that He’s listening to you. 

Give Ear to My Words (Psalm 5:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 5:1-3

Growing up in church, I learned many of the old standards, such as "How Great Thou Art" and "It Is Well With My Soul." I also learned many (at the time) contemporary praise songs. Praise songs were a bit different "in the day" from what they are today. They were more hymn-like, and most seemed to come directly from scripture.

One that I loved was pulled from today's verses. Take a few minutes to listen to this song taken directly from the King James Version.

Putting God's word to music is a wonderful way to memorize its truths ... and these verses certainly hold much truth.

God will always "give ear" and listen to my prayers ... and my cries. When I listen, He will speak to me. When crises hit, I can look up to Him, knowing He's there, just waiting for me to crawl on His lap.

There's one last truth that touches my heart:
Putting God's word to music is a wonderful way to memorize its truths ... and these verses certainly hold much truth.

God will always "give ear" and listen to my prayers ... and my cries. When I listen, He will speak to me. When crises hit, I can look up to Him, knowing He's there, just waiting for me to crawl on His lap.

There's one last truth that touches my heart:

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You ...

In the morning ... in the morning.

I need to start each day, just talking with my Father God. Starting the day with Him is the best way to keep my mind and heart on Him.

O Lord, this morning, I direct my voice to You, knowing that You're listening.

Does God Hear Me? (Psalm 28:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 28:1-2

I know I've written about this before, but I love the fact that God listens to me when I call. He hears my cries and revels in my praises.

There are times, though, when I feel His silence. He doesn't seem to be answering ... perhaps He isn't even hearing me.

Whenever I have these thoughts, I shut them down right away (sometimes, it may take a moment or two while I have a private pity party!). Why? It's because I really to have confidence that He hears my cries, just as He heard David's cry.

Every time David prayed, whether in joy or in anguish, He was certain his God was listening. I can have that same certainty, and so can you.

Just because God seems silent doesn't mean that He is. He may be waiting quietly for us to acknowledge His presence. He may be waiting for His timing. He may be asking us to be patient and just trust Him.

No matter the reason, we need to always come to His throne with our cries and praises.

He will answer ... in His time and according to His purpose.

Cry Out to God (Psalm 138:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 138:3

How often do you cry out? Because of the pain? Because of a broken relationship? Because of financial devastation? Because of the loss of a loved one?

Some of us cry out every day ... perhaps every minute. We cry out for reasons. We cry out for answers. We cry out in confusion.

And when we're all cried out, we sit quietly. Waiting. Wondering.

Is God even listening? Does He hear our cries? Does He even care?

In our darkest moments when we feel alone and tired, we can be sure of one thing: He is listening. He does hear our cries.

And He does answer. According to His will and in His time, He does answer.

When we believe—when we really, truly believe—that truth, we can be confident that He'll give us what we need for that moment, He'll comfort us, He'll provide for us, He'll protect us.

He'll make us "bold with strength in [our] souls."

Never be afraid to cry out to God, to bare your soul. He can take it. He'll listen with all-encompassing love. He'll hear your cries ... and He'll answer.

Our Lord Is Near (Psalm 145:18-19)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:18-19

These verses are full of encouragement for my heart and soul.

So many faiths serve a distant god—or gods, in some cases. They believe in a being that may have created the world, but isn't interested in our day-to-day. We who follow in the God of the Bible, however, believe He is personal and deeply involved in each moment of our every day.

We know He is near to us and He hears us when we call to Him. He never leaves us, never forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). He knows our every need and listens to each cry of our hearts (Psalm 5:2; 9:12; 17:1; 18:6).

Isn't that amazing? The God of the universe is with you? Never leaving your side? When you cry out to Him, He listens. He answers.

He also will fulfill the desires of our hearts. This is where some people can get confused, though. They read verses like Psalm 37:4 and say, "Well, I delight in the Lord, so I should be getting everything I desire." Then, if they don't, they say God doesn't keep His promises. This is why reading verses in context is so important. Because if they read on to verse 5, they'll see that they're supposed to "commit [their] way" to Him and trust in Him.

It's only when we fully commit our lives to Him, surrendering everything to Him that He will give us the desires of our hearts—because His desires will become our desires. We will seek His will, and indeed that He will do.

We serve a personal God who has revealed Himself in part through His creation and through His word. He is ever-present and all-loving. And He delights in giving us good things to His children (James 1:17).

Thank Him today. Praise Him for His presence and for His work in your life.

Attend to My Prayer (Psalm 61:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 61:1-2

I know I've written this before, but I find it amazing that the God of the universe, the Creator of all things, "attends[s] to my prayer ..." He listens to me. He wants to hear my voice.

It is humbling ...

No matter where I am, God hears me. No matter how low the valley or how high the mountaintop, He listens to my cries.

I've probably written this before too, but one of my favorite names by which God calls Himself is Abba ... Daddy. The psalmist writes, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." When my heart is overwhelmed, when the pain is almost more than I can bear, when the weariness is bone-deep, when loneliness closes in ... I know I can cry out to my Daddy.

I can crawl onto His lap and lay my head on his chest ... and He will hear me. He will "attend to my prayer." He will offer peace, comfort, and strength. He will wrap me in His arms of love.

Are you crying out today? Is your heart overwhelmed? Then climb onto your Daddy's lap. Share your pain with Him.

He will hear you ...