Be Still ... and Listen (Psalm 16:7-8)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:7-8

I've never been one who hears an audible voice when God speaks, but I have heard Him. Usually, He speaks in that "still small voice" we read about in 1 Kings 19:12. Many times I have prayed for something, and I've heard His voice in my heart. He counsels me to do those things that please Him. He guides me down paths that lead to His purpose. He reveals His will to me.

Hearing God's voice, though, requires one thing, though. We need to focus on Him, without distractions:

The most important thing about listening for God’s voice is that, in order for Him to be heard, you must be silent. God doesn’t want to compete with the world’s noise, nor should He. We know God, we hear His voice, in the stillness, in the quiet. God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). King David said with confidence that “the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him . . . Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still” (Psalm 4:3-4). (The Best Laid Plans © 2005 Sauni Rinehart)

When we focus on God and truly listen to Him, He speaks to us. So, as The Message paraphrases verse 8 of today's scripture:

Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

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.

The Lord Always Before Me (Psalm 16:7-8)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:7-8

I've never been one who hears an audible voice when God speaks, but I have heard Him. Usually, He speaks in that "still small voice" we read about in 1 Kings 19:12. Many times I have prayed for something, and I've heard His voice in my heart. He counsels me to do those things that please Him. He guides me down paths that lead to His purpose. He reveals His will to me.

Hearing God's voice, though, requires one thing, though. We need to focus on Him, without distractions:

The most important thing about listening for God’s voice is that, in order for Him to be heard, you must be silent. God doesn’t want to compete with the world’s noise, nor should He. We know God, we hear His voice, in the stillness, in the quiet. God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). King David said with confidence that “the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him . . . Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still” (Psalm 4:3-4).
(The Best Laid Plans © 2005 Sauni Rinehart)

When we focus on God and truly listen to Him, He speaks to us. So, as The Message paraphrases verse 8 of today's scripture:

Day and night I’ll stick with God;
    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.