You Are Heard

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles.  Psalm 34:17 NLT

In this time of pandemic, when most of us are feeling much more isolated than before, there are few people who will take the time to really listen. Have you found that to be true?

At first my husband and I talked much more every day with each other. Then gradually it seems we have each found our own space, our own tempo of life and occupations. I have heard friends comment that they cannot endure another Zoom meeting, where it is harder to speak up and add to the conversation. 

Everyone wants to be heard. So, who is listening? In both the Old and New Testament, it is clear that God listens to his people. He wants us to know he is listening, no matter how distant we may feel from him some days. God listens because he loves us, cares about how we feel, and because every detail of our lives matters to him. 

How can I tell you with such certainty that God hears you? For one thing, his Word, given to us to help us know him and who we are to him, says so. His Word also tells us that, as believers in Jesus and his followers, we have been given his Holy Spirit who lives in us. So, God knows our feelings, our most intimate thoughts, and the condition of our spirits every moment of the day. His Spirit is kind, gentle and patient, yet ready and more than able to help us with every need. He is not far away, so can respond instantly. He is focused on our well-being, because his job is to help us grow up into all that God created us to be. Through the Holy Spirit, God promises to cause everything to ultimately work for our good.

It is normal and natural to have moments when we feel alone, isolated and helpless in this world crisis. The media is screaming for our attention, our job may have presented more complications and now demands more time. Our families may need more of us, especially if we have children who need more help with their studies and need us to find alternate opportunities for them to have healthy activities. 

The world will not stop to really listen to us and understand who we are and how we feel.  But at any moment in our day, in the confusion and noise, or in the quiet of isolation, we can be sure that Father God knows where we are, listens and loves us. 

Jesus died so we could experience his constant, close and active presence. God desires for us to live in perfect peace of mind and heart, and to experience deep peace and vibrant joy. It’s our inheritance and Jesus promises to share his very own peace and joy.  The world cannot provide that, so we waste our time looking there for what only God can give us. After all, God created us for himself, so we could enjoy our beautiful, amazing relationship with him, not just now, but throughout eternity. 

Pray with me: Father God, thank you for listening to me. Thank you for caring so deeply and always standing with me in every situation and working for my good. Because you are always with me, I am never alone. Please, teach me how to listen to you and others, like Jesus listens to me, so I can grow into the wise and beautiful woman you created me to be. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ September, 2020