"The VOICE!"

Day #135

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 27 - 29 …

No, I'm not talking about the popular TV program that sets out to find THE voice that will become rich and famous … maybe.  I'm talking about the VOICE of someone whom many people do not even know exists, yet who spoke this world into existence:  the LORD, the Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.  Our reading today includes three more Psalms / songs of David.  Psalm 27 and some of the truths revealed in the verses of Psalm 28 have now been put to contemporary music.  The songs express the intimate connection that those who know God and who trust God have with Him.  They present a beautiful picture and we will return to them in a moment; but first, Psalm 29 …

Psalm 29 speaks about "The VOICE!"  This "voice" is like no other in power and majesty, yet it remains unheard by most in our world today because their ears are unable to hear.  David speaks of the "voice of the LORD,” understanding that when God speaks, things happen - in heaven and on earth.  Genesis 1 tells us that God spoke and the world came into being.  By the power of His spoken Word God created life.  And when mankind in his original state of perfection rebelled and sinned against God … when all people lay frozen in the grip of spiritual death … it was "the WORD" that became flesh and lived among us (John 1:1,14).  The One through whom and for whom all things were created, entered into this world to give life to those who were dead!

This is the Voice that calmed the sea, that called Lazarus from the tomb and told demons to come out of those who were possessed and enslaved!  This One is the eternal Son of God, "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word" (Hebrews 1:3).  Only those who "have ears to hear," ears given by the very Spirit of God, can and will hear His voice calling out, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. ... I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15).  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish” (John 10:27-28).  This is the truth toward which the Psalms pointed.

David heard this Voice a thousand years before it was embodied in Jesus, the Christ.  Therefore, he would say, "The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" (27:1).  If you hear the voice of God you will desire Him above everything else.  You will be like David as he wrote, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple" (27:4).  With confidence, David could say that God would never reject him or forsake him, and that in spite of the trials of this life, "I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" (27:13).

Do YOU have this confidence?  Have you heard His voice calling you away from your sin to find a refuge in Him?  So many today are distracted by all the voices of those in the world calling them this way and that way.  There seems to be constant “noise” all around us as people walk around with earplugs, listening to their latest gadgets.  I wonder if many take the time to “be still, and know that He is God.”  He speaks in the silence of the heart and mind that are set on Him and by His Word and Spirit He guides His children on the path of life.  But you have to listen for His voice!

David reveals the only way to come to the One whose voice shakes the earth:  "Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place" (28:2).  He will "tear down" those who "show no regard for the works of the LORD" (28:5).  But He will be the "strength and shield" of those who trust in Him (28:7).  "The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace" (29:11).

How do you know if you are one of HIS people?  His VOICE tells us that there is one way, and one way only to come to Him, and that is through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, the Living Word, the "Word made flesh."  Reading through the Bible produces many different emotions for those who know the true and living God.  He is compassionate, loving and merciful, AND also holy, righteous and just.  He cannot and will not overlook the sins you and I have committed.  But He has provided light in the darkness and salvation to those who are dead.  JESUS is THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life, and "no one comes to the Father except through" HIM! (John 14:6).

With good reason the writer of Hebrews asks, "How shall we escape (spiritual death and God's just judgment) if we ignore such a great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3).  God offers His mercy today through Jesus Christ and those who have been given ears to hear respond in faith and love and obedience.  Is that YOUR experience? If it is, rejoice and give thanks to God along with David.  Desire but one thing with all your heart:  to "dwell in the house of the LORD" … to live in His presence, all the days of your life, and then for eternity!  KNOW that He will NEVER reject or forsake you, His child, and that you WILL "see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" (27:13).  In those moments when trials come, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (27:14).

And if you have not heard this VOICE, I pray that God might open the eyes of your heart even now by His Spirit and move you to repent, to turn from your sin, confess your need of a Savior, and place your hope in the One who calls in the still small voice … "Come to ME!"

"O LORD, our God, Your VOICE speaks truth to those who have been given hearing and understanding.  Why, O LORD, am I able to hear You now, for surely I am no better than those who remain in death, unable to hear or to come.  Thank You, my Father and my God, for Your grace and for the gift of Your Spirit.  Surely, this IS the day of salvation, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!  In Jesus' name, Amen"