Subscription Lists

When someone I love and trust calls me I usually respond. However, when I feel like the one I love has not heard me I can easily desire to tune them out and take things into my own hands; listen to my own voice. I have found a lot of peace over the past few weeks when I have held to the truth: the God I love, the creator of the Universe, is not only the God that sees me; he is also a God that hears me. I returned to Hagar’s story for this reminder.

Genesis 16:11b […] for the Lord has heard of your misery […]

When Hagar first ran into trouble and fled, God heard her and she acknowledged him. She realized he heard and saw her, so she obeyed and returned, not knowing what to expect (v13-16). She knew God would protect her and provide. She acted as God told her and he did as he promised. His track record held up and his provision was definitely better than her plan to run away with nothing into the desert. However, like many of us, as years passed, when things did not go the way she would have liked or could see working out she doubted. She found herself in the desert again but this time things were different. Often, when faced with similar situations or circumstances as those from the past we are faced with a choice: to rely on God more where we did not in the past, or to simply do what we know is right, that which we have done before. We can listen or we can tune him out with our own cries.

Genesis 21:14-16Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.

Sometimes I may be given tangible comfort that I can hold or see to encourage me and remind me that God is there, but really he is leading me towards something that is so much greater and beyond me. When Hagar ran out of the water Abraham gave her she could only see the tangible and had forgotten the God who heard and saw her. I can doubt that God hears me when his reply doesn’t come in my time frame or in the form I want, but this does not mean he has not heard. I want to hold onto the empty skin of water and have a pity party. I may want to change something in my character now, see results, or have answers in certain parts of my life. I want to know the ‘whys’ and start to get anxious or doubt. At this time in my life I can see how God is trying to teach me patience and really pushing me to rely on him more, to listen to his comforting voice. But I can seek comfort from other voices. These moments are accumulating, each one posing an opportunity to be impatient and tune Him out or trust and respond to the one who is calling. In these moments it is not God who has stopped listening; it is me, and if I don’t tune in I risk missing out on something greater. Let’s face it, my track record against God’s, I stand to really botch things up, or by his grace, receive so much more!

Genesis 21:17 God heard the baby crying and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid, God has heard the baby crying […] 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.

When Hagar ran out of the water that Abraham gave her, God led her to a well! So often I can seek comfort from things or people. I try to grasp the tangible that can be so small and inadequate to that which God is leading me to that is more than adequate. God never stopped hearing Hagar and he hears me. He never forgets; He provides. In order to hear him she had to stop sobbing at some point. We cannot talk and listen at the same time. It was when she listened that her eyes were opened. God didn’t get angry and say, “Well you forgot my promise so now that is it!” or, “I’ll save your son but since you were hopeless you’re on your own.” God was gracious, loved her, provided for her and reminded her of who he is. He does this with each of us if we just quiet our voice and listen to his.

In order to hear him better I also need to cut out some of the static that was getting in the way. For me, this lead to a decision to get off of facebook for a while. I know, some of you will gasp at this, but I just saw how I was allowing it to drown God out and encourage other voices. This is a small step but sometimes that is all it takes. I was facebook free for two weeks and already started to hear more clearly so decided to extend my facebook break. It may be something completely different for you but we all have things that can distract, and drown God out.

1 Samuel 15:22 Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifices, and to head is better tan the fat of rams.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

People will leave, won’t call, life will disappoint, move too fast; things will fall through or not turn out as expected. Some people won’t understand or won’t hear us, but God always hears. He hears our sobs, our laughter, our dreams whispered from our hearts so low that no one can hear. He hears, he sees and he answers. It’s worth it to just stop, shut up and listen.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

Milque-Toast Prayers