You know what it is like to not be heard. Body position, eye movement away from you, looking at a watch or cellphone. It is a crummy feeling. My last primary visit, the doctor spent more time typing than looking at me. It’s a wild feeling, right? Look at me. Listen to me. So, I’m sure you’ve seen this, but it cracked me up today that the word hears has the word ears. I think listening, truly listening is intentional. Your eyes on me, your feet pointed at me, you’re agreeing with my words (or not), you are engaged.
“I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear [with great reverence] And will trust confidently in the Lord. [Ps 5:11] ¶Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies.”
Psalms 40:1-4 AMP
My posture before the Lord is to wait patiently and expectantly. I’m not great with either. I have been dizzy now for over eight months without any respite. Some days are better than others, bring a migraine in the midst and I really struggle to keep my head up. Waiting. I look at my mom and dad, the glimpses of his personality peek through just for a moment, and then he is gone again. The gradual, slow decline that carries on, day after day. Do I think that my God is not listening? No. Do I long for a different outcome at times? Yes.
He inclines his ear to me. Imagine your doctor/friend/etc leaning in. Closing the gap. The incline to hear better and to know the cry. This is our God! He loves us. He pulls us out of the miry clay. The miry clay being thoughts and feelings that are internalized, not shared, rolling around. He pulls us out through his word, through teaching, through community. We don’t pull ourselves out. There is not action that I can do to save myself, except change my posture. His presence changes everything. How do you walk without His presence?
He sets my feet on the rock.
Makes me think of the parable of the two foundations (Matthew 7:24-28). Remember the rain fell on both houses, experiencing the trials and danger of the strong storms. Only one stood. The one built on the rock.
He steadies my steps, establishing my path.
Like a little child learning to walk, we didn’t watch from afar. We were there hovering, arms outstretched to catch if needed. This is our God.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise…
I say this over and over to remind myself and maybe you, reader. Everything changes when we bless HIS name. Maybe not the waves, or tsunamis, but my heart changes. My mind changes. And I begin to look at my life differently. I’m not perfect at this, mind you. I have a far way to go.
I make note of how God has answered so many prayers in my life. I remember the prayer and I remember the answer. He is still the same God. I’m reading a book on prayer and one of the simplest prayers is to say His name. Or to read Scripture as a prayer back to Him, So having verses in my mind, memorizing them.
I still remember the verses I learned when I was younger. They are there! Now as I memorize/meditate on new verses, I have more to rest on. These verses also teach me about our God. Reminding me. Moving my gaze off myself, prompted to pray for others.
When we look solely at the problem, we lose sight. However, when we keep our eyes fixed on the author and finisher of our faith, others notice and are encouraged to look to God as well. Our trust is worship as well. No matter what you see, God is moving and working in your midst and mine.
This is our God.
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