Inclined to Hear
I want to take a second and brag on my amazing heavenly Father. I woke up this morning just overwhelmed with how kind, loving, caring, and amazing our God is. He knows our desires and knows what we need to feel His presence.
At the start of the week, I was feeling a bit homesick. It was my niece's second birthday, and all I wanted was a snuggle from her and to get to play and run around like crazy with them. After Skyping with them, I had a long conversation with the Lord about the sadness I felt in not being present in their lives right now, about missing all of the family traditions around the holiday's, the desire to just have a girl's night with my best friend, etc.
In the same conversation, I told Him that I knew He was worth it all and I wouldn't change where I am and the path He has me on for any of that. I just needed to feel reconfirmation and assurance from my Father that He was here, right beside me.
In Psalm 116, David describes the Lord as hearing his voice and pleas for mercy. But David doesn't say that God just listens - he says the Lord inclines his ear. The word 'incline' means to 'be favourably disposed towards.' Do you know what that means?! God doesn't just listen out of a feeling of obligation. He doesn't just listen because He can't shut you out.
God listens because he desires to! He finds enjoyment in hearing our voices and giving ear to our pleas for mercy. Our Father is willing and ready to hear every single detail and plea that we bring to Him - no matter how many times you talk bring it to Him or how silly or small it may sound. Even when we can't put into words what we are feeling, the Word tells us we have a friend interceding on our behalf in the Spirit:
This week, my Father has shown His love and tender care for me as His daughter. Even when I was confused and couldn't fully express my feelings and desires and pleas, He knew. The Spirit interceded on my behalf and expressed words that I didn't know were there. Through a life group discussion of community and family in the church, to getting to play hide and seek with my nieces over Skype, God has faithfully inclined his ear and heard my pleas for mercy.
Brothers and sisters, my prayer for you is that you are able to rest in this beautiful truth. Call on Him with all of your heart, and then let the Spirit join you in groanings too deep for your own words.
At the start of the week, I was feeling a bit homesick. It was my niece's second birthday, and all I wanted was a snuggle from her and to get to play and run around like crazy with them. After Skyping with them, I had a long conversation with the Lord about the sadness I felt in not being present in their lives right now, about missing all of the family traditions around the holiday's, the desire to just have a girl's night with my best friend, etc.
In the same conversation, I told Him that I knew He was worth it all and I wouldn't change where I am and the path He has me on for any of that. I just needed to feel reconfirmation and assurance from my Father that He was here, right beside me.
"I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live."
Psalm 116:1-2
In Psalm 116, David describes the Lord as hearing his voice and pleas for mercy. But David doesn't say that God just listens - he says the Lord inclines his ear. The word 'incline' means to 'be favourably disposed towards.' Do you know what that means?! God doesn't just listen out of a feeling of obligation. He doesn't just listen because He can't shut you out.
God listens because he desires to! He finds enjoyment in hearing our voices and giving ear to our pleas for mercy. Our Father is willing and ready to hear every single detail and plea that we bring to Him - no matter how many times you talk bring it to Him or how silly or small it may sound. Even when we can't put into words what we are feeling, the Word tells us we have a friend interceding on our behalf in the Spirit:
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
Romans 8:26
When we are at a point where we are so desperate we don't even know what to say.
When we are tired and can't put into words our emotions.
When we don't feel like we can talk to the Lord our God.
When we are just plain exhausted and weak.
...the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Brothers and sisters, my prayer for you is that you are able to rest in this beautiful truth. Call on Him with all of your heart, and then let the Spirit join you in groanings too deep for your own words.
Know that the Lord your Father is ready, willing, and prepared to hear his beloved child's voice.
"I am my Beloved's and He is mine
So come into your garden and take delight in me
Take delight in me."
Comments
Post a Comment