BIBLE W3 D3 God is Ready if We are Willing (Psalm 81)

"Hear, O my people... if you would but listen to me, O Israel!" (Psalm 81:8)

After starting with a few verses of praise, this psalm suddenly turns to us. (Did you notice the transition - around versus 5 & 6?) It challenges us to realize that God is present always, and then gives examples of how God is always waiting... calling to us... offering redemption if we only respond. We are to read the Psalm twice... once from the head... once from the heart.

Have you heard the voice of God in your life? For me, God usually speaks with a still small voice... inviting me always to deeper communion with Him. Yes I can tune into this voice sitting in quiet in my den early in the morning, but the voice is always with me. Some people may call it my conscience, but I think of it as the Holy Spirit quietly being with me all the time.

Most astonishingly, the voice is there as I'm preparing to do something wrong. I know that sounds worse than I mean, but have you ever been in the heat of the moment - maybe getting ready to say or do something hurtful - and had a briefest thought of "I shouldn't be saying or doing this"? It's just a microsecond of reflection where the Holy Spirit is there offering support or encouragement to do the right thing if we would only listen, saying "no... don't... I'm with you". And occasionally, I catch it and change my ways and do the right thing. But all too frequently, I don't tune into the voice.

Reflecting on this right now, I realize the voice is always present. I can think of a few hurtful things I've done where I heard and ignored the voice. I can also think of a few times where I heard the voice and was able to catch myself and execute a last minute change in my actions. Times where I listen to the voice always seem to work out better than times when I ignore it. I shouldn't seem surprised about that, but I am.

"Hear, O my people... if you would but listen to me..." (Psalm 81:8)

God is ready if we are willing.