Let Me Hear What God Says

“Lord, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you covered all their sin. 
You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us!
Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
    but let them not turn back to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
    and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
    and make his footsteps a way.” Psalm 85

“And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?'” 1 Kings 19:11-13

“Morning by morning he awakens;
    he awakens my ear
    to hear as those who are taught.” Isaiah 50:4

Myriads of voices pepper with staccato urgency and drone in repetition, taking up the quiet space into which the Lord longs to speak. Easily we get whipped into the frenzy of group think and mantras and fretting. The deeper into the whorl, the more challenging to hear the still small voice. I speak peace to you my saints. You listen only to the wind, the earthquake, the crackling fire, yet I whisper. Focus on who I am and what I have done. Can you hear? Tune in. (1 Kings 19:4-15)

The world attacks with frenzied pellets of what-ifs, vitriol, and dissension. Plausible threats and danger loom. Where do we go? Who actually reigns? Ah, the Lord on high rules over all! His presence offers the harbor of love and faithfulness, the intimacy of all that is right, and peace. He is the home of revival and restoration. He speaks, and He answers when we cry. (Psalm 86:3-8)

In the midst of life’s toil and tumble and roiling turmoil, do we remember His favor and the wonder of His forgiveness? Can we stop our ears to doom and set our hope in His salvation and revival? Would we look with hope to His glory in it all? When we listen for His voice, we can expect to behold His goodness and anticipate His righteous, bountiful way.

Lord, attune me to Your voice above all others, staying my mind on You who are worthy to be trusted. (Isaiah 26:3)