Today’s
Scripture Reading (May 6, 2019): Psalm
4 & 5
Dr. Ralph Nichols, the founder
of the “International Listening Association,’ argued that “the most basic of
all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to
understand people is to listen to them.” We all need to be heard. But as I look
at the people in my life, I often see a vicious cycle that takes place. The
people who need to be heard the most, are usually the very ones who refuse to
listen to those around them. They feel that they aren’t being heard, and so
they do not listen. As a result, those to whom they are speaking to think that
they are not being heard, and so they, in turn, stop listening. The result is
that there is a lot of talking, but very little understanding. And so our hurt
grows until our pain seems unbearable. And the first step back to health is to
begin listening and, in the process, to start to be heard.
There is a similar give and
take when it comes to our communication with God. The idea of prayer is not
confined only to our words directed at God. Prayer also includes our
willingness to listen and understand when God speaks to us, whether those words
are conveyed to us through the words of the Bible, the counsel of other Saints,
or even the still small voice that rises from the deepest parts inside of us.
We need to be willing to hear the words that emanate from God if we want him to
listen to the words that we speak to him.
The Psalmist asks God to listen
to his words and consider his lament. At this moment, the Psalmist needs to be
heard and understood, especially by the one who had the power to change his
circumstances. The question that needs to be answered is whether the Psalmist
was also willing to listen to God’s voice speaking to him. Because true
understanding, whether it is between God and us or in our social groups, only happens
if we are all willing to listen.
Tomorrow’s
Scripture Reading: Psalm 6
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