The Morning Listen

“I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. 

Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul…

Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!..

And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.” Psalm 143:5-8,10,12

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;..
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:1-2

The Psalmist knew how to still and quiet his soul, and the lifeline it afforded. Listening to his observations, and memories, he was reminded of God’s great and gracious works. Those brought to mind His steadfast love, that flowed, and upheld, and never failed. Recalling those works of God’s hands opened his own toward Him, to reach, to hear more. HIs quieted soul would listen for the way to go, the level path to follow.

There is nothing like the morning quiet, and listen. Do we even know how to still and quiet our souls? To awaken and set first to listen to the voice, the cadence of truth, the sweet song, of our Savior? To train our minds to think on God’s wondrous works, and to thank Him? To discipline ourselves to read and listen to and occupy ourselves with nothing else except Him? When we take first glance and listen from another, our thoughts begin to stir and fill and react with mental vigor, yet in a spiritual vacuum. But when we seek first His Spirit’s voice, our ears will be attuned to Him in the barrage of noise around us and His leading will be clear. (Matthew 6:31-33)

If we thirst and go to satiate ourselves on anything but the giver of every good and perfect gift, we will come up empty. When we attentively listen to His unfailing love, and allow it to buttress our minds for the day ahead, we will know His sustenance of Spirit in a supernatural way. (James 1:17)

“O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindly tho’t and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Worthy Lord, my first and best and open ears are Yours.