“If today, you hear His voice harden not your hearts.”
Psalm 95 speaks to the human condition of how we react to God’s “voice.” In the times that are cited in the Psalm, the people had heard the voice of God through Moses, and they, like we at times, had complained and thought they knew better than God.
That phrase “If (today) you hear His voice…” reminded me of how the sound of a parent’s voice can be reassuring. As a kid, I can remember getting lost with my brother in a crowd after the Fourth of July fireworks in Boston and suddenly hearing our father’s voice cutting through the horns, music, and countless other voices. Our Mom’s voice could also be heard calling out to us when we had drifted too far at the large shopping center called the Braintree Plaza and had no idea where she was.
Taking a Parental Tone
And then, there were the times we heard my Dad’s voice in response to a brotherly battle upstairs at night, and he’d use a different tone of voice, with the “don’t make me come up there" message. Our Mom’s voice likewise could get our attention if we’d said or done the wrong thing.
Somehow, we knew, maybe not at the exact moment, but eventually, that whatever the message or tone, it was said because they loved us.
God’s voice can be difficult to hear in the current world for numerous reasons. One is there is so much “noise” to distract us. In fact, at times, we add to it through music, sports, audiobooks, podcasts, TV, movies, etc. All of these types of entertainment can be good, but to hear God’s voice, we do need times of quiet—both externally and internally.
God’s Presence and Guidance
Yesterday evening, while walking the dog, I realized it was the first time I hadn’t been speaking or listening to another person since seven o’clock in the morning! It was at this moment that I could say a simple prayer to God, really a sharing of what was on my mind. It was in the relative quiet and the beauty of pine trees that I “heard” God’s reassuring voice. No, not like the voice of God that Moses, John the Baptist, or Peter, James, and John heard. God was speaking through the realization of the need for quiet to “hear” and “feel” His presence and guidance.
At times, God’s voice leads us forward—corrects and other times heals— so many other ways touch us with His love. God wants us to benefit from not only hearing but from taking His Word to heart. He calls to us at all times, but we need to make the time to get away from the distractions so that we can hear Him.
An Open Heart
As we got older, my parents’ voices were those that called out to us when we’d arrive at an airport, meet at a restaurant, or simply arrive at home. There is nothing better than hearing them call your name.
When was the last time you heard the voice of God and how did you respond? Something good to reflect and pray about today. We will all do well to remember, “If today, you hear His voice today, harden not your hearts.”
May God bless you and your families this holy day
as we make time to hear the voice of God with open hearts.
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