“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

―Isaiah 55:11, NIV 

In the Scriptures, God expressed the fountain of His heart through prophetic scribes. Their writings continue to stand as a witness of His everlasting love and promises to humanity. Due to the faithful diligence of a few, the written Word of God speaks to and transforms the hearts of humankind to this day. This week, we’ll talk about hearing the voice of God through His Word and through the practice of journaling.

 

When Words Don’t Come

 

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me.” Habakkuk 2:1, NIV 

Staying in tune with God can be difficult. Especially when we don’t hear anything.

As I drove my daughter, who has Down syndrome, to an appointment, she listened to her favorite station through her headphones like she normally did. Before long, she huffed and began thumping on her radio.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She gave no reply as she continued to thump her radio in frustration.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t your radio working?”

“No.”

“How long has it not been working?”

No answer.

“Did it work yesterday?”

“No.”

“Did it work the day before?”

“No.”

“Did you wear your headphones at work anyway?”

“Yes.”

My heart broke.

After my daughter’s appointment, I stopped at the store for batteries, replaced the old ones in her radio, and drove her back to work. When I left, she was wearing her headset and was working to the beat of the music once more.

As I took my seat behind the wheel of my car, God whispered: “She didn’t hear anything, but she kept on listening. You should too.”

Once again, my daughter was the teacher; I was the student.

Sometimes, God is silent. During those times, the temptation to change the channel is great. We want to remedy the situation ourselves: search in other directions, fill the dead air with the sound of our own voice or the voices of others, or simply “thump” in frustration.

Although the words of today’s text may not be the words we want to hear, they do give us some much-needed insight: Listen. Keep watch. Remain steadfast. Live in expectancy.

God will speak. He won’t remain silent forever. Although He may not rush in with His answer as quickly as I supplied the batteries for my daughter’s radio, His timing will be perfect.

So don’t grow weary and lose heart, my friend.  Keep. On. Listening. God’s words will come, and you’ll be dancing to the rhythm of their beat once more.

“If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, 

for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” 

Habakkuk 2:3, NLT  

In His Love,

Starr