God hears - May 29

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 30, 32; PM Psalm 42, 43; Deut. 5:22-33; 2 Cor. 4:13-5:10; Luke 16:19-31

The Lord heard your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you; they are right in all that they have spoken. If only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children for ever! Go, say to them, “Return to your tents.” But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, the statutes and the ordinances, that you shall teach them, so that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.’ (Deuteronomy 5:28-31)

Moses and the Israelites are having this amazing conversation in this account from Deuteronomy 5. The Lord uses a loud voice that boomed out of the fire, cloud, and darkness at the mountain. God imparts the ten big commandments to Moses. Then, those guiding principles are inscribed on stone tablets by the great Jehovah, the Lord God.

The Israelites hear the big voice from the fire and go to Moses in awe, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the fire.” (5:24a) The people are terrified, for the fire is lethal and powerful. Usually those who hear the voice of the living God (as opposed to the voices of idols that are not living, but inanimate) are not thought to be able to survive the intensity of the experience. They tell Moses to stay and hear the message of God and bring it to them – and they will follow all that God says to do.

Here is where I heard a message anew this morning: God says to Moses, “I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you; they are right in all that they have spoken.” (5:28b) The God of booming voice, dark clouds, and fire hears the voice of the people – even when addressed to Moses and not the Lord. The God of awe and power is also present in the fearful, quiet corners of our minds and lips. It reminds me of a piano that can rage in the bass of low notes and flirt in the fairylike high notes at the same time.

And then, I heard God’s yearning for the Israelites to remain faithful and true – to follow all the guidance God provides, for when the commandments are followed, life goes well for them and for future generations. The Hebrew for this hope is written yi-tab, translated “it might be well”. When Abram is in Egypt and threatened by Pharoah’s people, he appeals to his wife Sarai (before the covenant with God and their name changes to Abraham and Sarah) for her to say she is his sister, so that they will spare his life and “it may go well with” Abram (Genesis 12:13). And it does.

Following God’s statues, rules, and commandments does not mean that life will be easy. Abiding in God through all times means that all will be well with our souls. We will be sheltered, protected, delivered – if not in body, then in our hearts. 

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

What words you have spoken to others do you hope that God hears? What do you hope God was not paying attention to?

What commandment is trickiest for you to live into with your whole self? Need to check the list in Deuteronomy 5, click here.

Daily Challenge

Stay grounded in God’s word today through reading, hearing, and praying. Take a few minutes to delve into the song “It Is Well With My Soul” and its scriptural roots: https://scriptureand.blogspot.com/2012/09/it-is-well-with-my-soul.html. Listen to the song, and then pray for that peace to fill your heart, and the heart of someone in need today. Share this assurance and God’s promise of love and protection with them.