Listen

“Oh, that you would listen to His voice today.”

For years I taught students to write.  In all those years in education, I just loved reading budding authors.  Each one would develop their own distinct voice.  Some were so strong that by the end of the year I would know the writer without them even having to put their name at the top of their paper.

My “fiddle-fart” cousin always uses her comedic voice to write.  She tells me how she gussies herself up and swashbuckles over to Kroger.  How she tootles along most days, but when life gives her a Monday she dips in glitter and sparkles all day.  You get the picture.  She doesn’t have to sign her name to anything.  I know her.  This whimsical cuz says she’s a spectacle of superlative proportions.  She’s not wrong.

The Lord has a distinct voice, too.

Sometimes it is plainly clear. He’s the one who owns the depths of the earth.  He’s the one that made the sea and formed the dry land, too.  It’s very clear.  So, bow down and worship.  Kneel before the Lord our Maker.  He’s our God.

But, sometimes I’m not sure if it’s His voice.  And, I know others aren’t either because He says,  “They refuse to do what I say.”  I know His patience can be tried.  I mean, can you say, “Israelites?”   It’s comforting to know that even a prophet like Jeremiah commented,  “Then I knew it was from the Lord.”  Which has to mean that there was a time that he didn’t know.

The Lord is speaking to us all and I think that can be very powerful and majestic for all our benefit.

But, sometimes He is speaking to the benefit of one and I think that can be very gentle like a whisper.

There was a mighty wind.

The Lord was not in the wind.

There was an earthquake.

The Lord was not in the earthquake.

There was a fire.

The Lord was not in the fire.

There was the sound of a gentle whisper.

It was a still small voice.

Oh, that we would listen today.

Psalm 95:7

Jeremiah 32:8

1 Kings 19:11