God Answers
With apologies to Andy Rooney, you know what gets on my last nerve? Two things have got to be in my top ten annoyances in life: 1) when I call family or friends and leave a message, and they don't call me back within a reasonable (read: a day or two) amount of time, or even at all; and 2) when I write family and/or friends an e-mail and they don't respond within a reasonable (read: two to three days) amount of time, or even at all. Wow, that burns me! To me, this is the height of insensitivity and rudeness. There are times (especially after being repeatedly ignored) when I almost want to never call or write that person again - if they want to talk with me, let them take the initiative. While I may think that, I rarely ever actually do that, because that would be rude. And to behave in that manner would make me just as guilty as the person I'm upset with.
I suspect the reason why I (and many others I've spoken to on the subject) feel so strongly about this is because when this happens to us, somewhere deep down inside we feel rejected...unimportant...disrespected...ignored...unloved. This offends our sensibilities because we obviously held that person in high enough regard to communicate with them in the first place, and even that small, basic respect wasn't reciprocated.
While this happens often in life with fallen, imperfect people, what would life be like if God were that way? What if when we spoke with Him, He "snubbed" us? What if He didn't respond with loving grace to our pleas and our cries? What if God were always silent, always distant, never answering when we call to Him?
I love the way Psalm 4:3 begins - "You can be sure of this!" What can we be sure of? Two things: 1) God has set the godly apart for Himself, and 2) He will answer when I call to him. God answers! Isn't that great? He not only hears our cries, but His answer is a guarantee - we can be "sure" of it!
Knowing this truth encourages me. It gives me faith and hope. It reminds me that I shouldn't ever give up on talking with God regularly - every day, several times a day, "never ceasing" as Paul put it! Because He hears. He cares. And He is already answering - the question is: can you hear it?
Pastor Howie
I suspect the reason why I (and many others I've spoken to on the subject) feel so strongly about this is because when this happens to us, somewhere deep down inside we feel rejected...unimportant...disrespected...ignored...unloved. This offends our sensibilities because we obviously held that person in high enough regard to communicate with them in the first place, and even that small, basic respect wasn't reciprocated.
While this happens often in life with fallen, imperfect people, what would life be like if God were that way? What if when we spoke with Him, He "snubbed" us? What if He didn't respond with loving grace to our pleas and our cries? What if God were always silent, always distant, never answering when we call to Him?
I love the way Psalm 4:3 begins - "You can be sure of this!" What can we be sure of? Two things: 1) God has set the godly apart for Himself, and 2) He will answer when I call to him. God answers! Isn't that great? He not only hears our cries, but His answer is a guarantee - we can be "sure" of it!
Knowing this truth encourages me. It gives me faith and hope. It reminds me that I shouldn't ever give up on talking with God regularly - every day, several times a day, "never ceasing" as Paul put it! Because He hears. He cares. And He is already answering - the question is: can you hear it?
"Father God,
Help me to trust the Truth from Your Word
that You not only hear me when I talk with You, but You ANSWER as well.
Give me eyes to see and ears to hear
ALL of the creative ways that You choose to answer me throughout the day.
Cause me to hear Your voice and see Your handiwork
in the manner in which You choose to reveal the answer to me.
In Jesus' Name - AMEN!"
Pastor Howie
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