Listen up, King David says. Stop being absorbed by the world of our own experiences or feelings. Cry out for the ears to listen with..
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
That’s where the Psalm ends. David needing a rock, and a redeemer. As readers of this ancient Psalm we know who that redeemer is, Jesus. The heavens declare the glory of God points us to his relentless goodness. The uncomfortable truth is God demands relationship on his terms. We trip up. But in Jesus we have someone who doesn’t. Jesus shows the way to listen in to God.
He showed it most clearly at the point of his greatest suffering. The words from the cross:
“My God My God why have you forsaken me? Forgive them for they know not what they are doing. Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” On the same cross he turned to the thief who acknowledged him as Lord and promised him “Today you will be with me in paradise” or looking to Mary as she stood by the disciple John Behold your mother. Behold your Son, and at the right time he cried out “I am thirsty. It is finished.”[2]
The author and pioneer of life first had to tread the valley of the shadow of death for us. Notice how through this Psalm God keeps speaking. It’s the message of hope and life. Forgiveness is where relationship with God starts. Listen in like James 1:22- 25 puts it:
22 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! 23 Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, 24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. (The Message)
The grace of God means courage for us. The same grace teaches us also wise love. It comes back to how we will listen in for God’s voice in amongst the noise. What will we say back? This week whenever you feel the sun’s heat or the cool wind, Remember God is watching, so pray:
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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