March 17, Heartburn

Today’s reading: Psalms 86-90

“I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly” - Psalm 85:8.

In today’s verse, the psalmist first made a commitment to listen to the Lord’s voice. Do you listen to God’s voice? He speaks every language, speaks through circumstances, through other people — some who know Him, some who don’t — and especially through His word and His servants who preach and teach His word. The writer acknowledged that God promised peace to His people. Do you have peace? If not, is it because you are somehow not listening to the Lord? It’s easy to miss His voice as two disciples who knew Jesus well did not recognize Him when He came to visit:

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:30-32).

Is your heart burning with His presence, but you don’t recognize it? What’s holding you back from acknowledging it? Father, I want to know You and Your voice. Show me where fear or hardness of heart have prevented me from recognizing when You are speaking to me. I put my trust in Your ability to speak to me and make Your will clear for my life.