LISTEN AND HEAR MY VOICE

Isaiah, in Chapter 28, verse 11: it is written, ‘Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to his people (verse 12) to whom he said, ‘This is the resting place, let the weary rest’; and, ‘this is the place of repose’ – but they would not listen. Verse 23: Listen and hear my voice, pay attention and hear what I say’.  We then read of a farmer’s tasks which are numerous, such as threshing and planting crops, as his God instructs and teaches him to, in the right way. From verse 29, ‘All this comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.

So, some did not listen in their rebellion, whereas others obeyed the Lord’s instructions by hearing and listening.  Does this indicate a willingness of listening to God in our ‘busy lives’ weariness. As Christ’s people, we need to pay attention in quiet, restful repose to what he is saying to us?  Do we draw aside often enough to hear his counsel and wisdom to instruct us in the right ways of life? Are we listening with our ears or ‘tuning out’ by ignoring God as they did in the days of Isaiah? The Sovereign Lord speaks again (30/15),

‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength but you would have none of it.’ A warning in chapter 29/15 says ‘Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who work in darkness and say,’ who sees us?  Who will know? As if the potter were thought to be like the clay?  Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me? Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing?’

My thoughts here are that, like the farmer’s toil, we often thresh against the Lord’s word of instruction and try to mold other’s lives like the potter and his clay, in a frenzy of busyness.  We neglect to pause to hear the voice of our God.  Yet, (30/18)  ‘the Lord longs to be gracious to you, he rises to show compassion, a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him. (19) …when you cry for help, as soon as he hears he will answer you even though the lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. (21) Whether you turn to the right or left, your ears will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’

Therefore, commit to taking time aside from your weariness each day in a resting place of repose.   To listen, to hear his voice, pay attention and learn of his instructions for your life.  In quiet repentance, trust and you will receive his strength.

REST, LISTEN AND HEAR.

Be Blessed

LORRAINE