Have modern day believers become hard of hearing the precious voice of the Lord?

Do continual internal conversation and external noise drown out God’s quieter whispers to us?

I considered these questions as I went through my day. From the outside, I heard pings as text messages came to my cell phone, the home phone ringing as telemarketers called, and the news on the car radio regularly interrupting the music. In my mind, I rehearsed unpleasant things I had to complete and formed negative self-assessments. All this was compounded by the enemy’s subtle, yet persistent condemnation.

I am concerned I am becoming desensitized to the still small voice of my Lord and instead tune into the clamoring noise around me. I am purposeful during the first moments of the day, but as the day progresses, I notice multitasking and selective listening take over. The more I am doing, the less I can focus on listening.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6 :4

In the Bible, the definition for the word hear, “shema,” encompasses acting upon what is heard, responding to what was spoken. If I am not hearing, then I am not able to follow the Lord’s guidance in my life, and instead I am depending on my own unsound reasoning.

He who has ears let him hear.

Speak Lord, your servant is listening.

Even so, I am distracted. Listening and blocking out the distractions is not easy for many of us. However, I want to be intentional about hearing God. If I have missed what He is saying, is there any point to the rest of what I am doing? He will show me adjustments to make so I don’t just go careen off a cliff. He may give me an idea to encourage another. He may speak a word into my heart to strengthen me. He reminds me of truth to use as a shield against the enemy’s lies.

Today, I will begin to sensitize my ears to hear His voice. In the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, I purpose to listen as not allow one whisper from God to fall upon deafened ears

Life is filled with “What ifs….” What if the worst-case scenario, the terrible and unexpected happens? What if we don’t have enough money, time, strength, faith, hope or love? Some time ago, I heard a phrase that removed the angst from the “what ifs” in life.

For every what if, I AM.

I AM, YHWH, the name God revealed to Moses. Moses was God’s chosen instrument, an imperfect spokesman who spoke to the mighty pharaoh on behalf of ALMIGHTY God. What took precedence over all of Moses’ inadequacies was the indisputable assurance that God was with Moses.

I AM, Yahweh Jireh… “The Lord Provides.” Even as Abraham was ascending Mount Moriah to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord, a lamb was making its way to the summit to provide that sacrifice. At the altar, Abraham’s faith and God’s promise met.

“There is always a ram in the thicket because there is always the Lamb on the throne.” Katie Davis Majors

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. One word from the eternal Word ushers shalom into our chaos. I AM the Light of the world. His spiritual light dispels darkness bringing hope.

I AM the bread of life. God does not merely provide physical bread but His presence nourishes our spirits. One translation of Psalm 37:3 instructs us to feed on his faithfulness. In other places, scriptures tell us to taste the goodness of the Lord.

I AM the Door, the good Shepherd, the Vine, the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Living Water. Truly, there is not a problem that Jesus is not our answer. At the cross, Jesus’ sacrifice assures us that God will go to any length to fulfill His covenant promises.

Here I sit, confronting a high stone a wall in a seemingly impossible situation. So I write this blog to remind myself that it is not about my inadequacies or lack of solutions. The most significant truths are that God is for me and with me and will never leave me or forsake me. He does not fail.

For every what if…. I AM!