This little scripture referenced in this morning’s Oswald Chambers devotional is easy to miss; just read on by, as I have before, and not hear the words. We read the words silently with our eyes, but only the heart hears every unuttered syllable of His Word. Is that connection operational in us?
Sometimes yes, and sometimes not so much. Many of us talk to God through prayers, always words to Him, spoken and unspoken. Can we listen closely enough to hear Him speak? When He speaks, and He does…Can we hear it? Can we feel it? Can we see it? Do we have the completeness of relationship with Him that blesses us to have ears to hear and eyes to see His responses?
I used to sincerely ask to “Know His Will,” and maybe some of us do as well. One morning a year or so ago, Chambers wrote something to the effect of “Why ask for what is already there? Listen Better! It’s Already There,” which was the gist of his writing that day, and it has stuck with me ever since.
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”
Psalms 25:14 NIV
That’s a simple scripture, but fearing God being part of completing the relationship makes it easy to read, bypass, and ignore. Do we have the kind of relationship with Him that’s complete enough to hear Him confide His Will with us? Some days are better than others for me when I can say I’m in touch with His Spirit and feel it, hear it, see it, or know it.
I heard Him this morning when I read that His covenant with us includes confiding His Will in the relationship. Is my relationship intact or marginal? Relationship with His Spirit means total surrender to ourselves and allowing a relationship foundational to our completeness to exist. It gives us ears to hear and eyes to see.
I always struggled with fearing God until I understood that it had little to do with being afraid but more about the fear of not being able to experience His fullness and awesomeness. I don’t know, but it feels like being fearful of something so extraordinary as God just might not be survivable. That’s a healthy Fear out of total respect, maybe. It’s a healthy fear to have, even if I can’t explain it. But then, I don’t have to…since He’s got this.
I resolve to take the time to listen completely and fearfully to ensure I hear His words, see His words, or feel His words. I fear I’ve not listened to what’s already there in the relationship I’ve missed, which is not fully formed in me. So…I pray for ears to hear and eyes to see.
It never ceases to amaze me how deeply and quickly I can get drawn into His Word. This little slice of scripture struck me this morning, answering a question I did not ask. How cool is that? I had to share thoughts about it.
I invite you to listen better with me.
Peace! G.