Does the L-rd Hear Your Cry?

Why is it that when we really pour out our hearts to the L-rd, it's usually in a time of crisis or need? Any other time, we tend to bring the usual requests before the L-rd, hopefully remembering to also thank Him for answers to prayer and blessings He brings our way. We even become quite adept at "Nehemiah" prayers as we hurry and scurry here and there in our busy day-to-day lives.

But, do we truly, honestly have a heart-to-heart, one-on-one with the L-rd on a regular basis? Sad to say, I think for many, if not most of us, it's usually just when the trial and test of our faith comes that we get down and serious about talking with the L-rd!

Did you know that communication with the L-rd is a two-way street?

G-d desires to speak to us, too. Every day. He desires more than a quickie devotional read out of a paperback, or a perusal of a Psalm. The L-rd wants our hearts---He desires fellowship on a regular basis; a time when we are quiet before Him. Psalm 46:10 commands us to, "Be still and know that I am G-d:".

How can we truly get to know G-d----our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, the One we will be living and reigning with for eternity----if we do not take time to be still and listen to Him?

I know we live busy lives! I work full time, help my husband in the ministry, take time for family things, try to keep up with the housework (help!)---so I understand the time constraints, the weariness of the flesh that so many of us struggle with. It's a battle!

Hey---of course it's a battle, sisters!! Any time the Word of G-d is at the heart of a matter, it's gonna be a BATTLE!! How does G-d speak with us----usually, I mean? Through His Word, right? Yes, I know the Holy Spirit does speak to us in a still, small voice at times....but usually by bringing the WORD to our minds. That's why Scripture reading and memorization are sooooo important!

And that's why our flesh and the enemy fight it so hard!

How can the Word of Life come to our minds and hearts at crucial times if we do not spend time in the Word to get to know it......and to get to know G-d? Did not Jesus say that He is the Word?! Do you want to really get to know G-d, draw close to Him, know His heart for you?

Get in the Word!

Job said that he, "....esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."!! I bet Job found those words to be nourishing and healing and sustaining during his sore trial.

Jeremiah said, "Thy words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy Name, O L-RD G-d of hosts."

David devoted his longest Psalm (119) to the Word of the L-rd.

Yes, when we are in fellowship with Him, the L-rd wants us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" as it says in Hebrews 4:16.

But He also wants to speak to us, as well.

How can we please the L-rd in being obedient to Him if we do not know what He wants us to do, and how He wants us to behave? We won't know unless we get into the Word and find out!

The Jews of Zechariah's time knew what G-d expected of them. They had the Law and the oracles of G-d. But they ignored G-d's Word and commands. They knew G-d's character, His holiness, His demand for obedience and truth.

But they got comfortable----as we tend to do, too. They became prosperous. They liked the things of the world, and got so busy with all of those enticements and demands upon their time, that they spent less and less time at the Temple, hearing the Word. When they heard the Word of the L-rd from the mouth of the prophets G-d sent to them, they had little regard for it.

In time, G-d's people became much like the people of the world around them, becoming entrenched in the idolatry of the heathen.....as we do, too. We don't even think about the fact that all that we strive for and work for and lust after is idolatry, but it is. All "the rudiments of the world" as the Bible calls it, squeezes out what little time we have to read the Word and pray.

And then sometimes we wonder if the L-rd hears our cry!

Zechariah 8:13 is a warning that should wake us out of our spiritual malaise and smite our hearts:

"Therefore it is come to pass,
that as He cried, and they would not hear;
so they cried, and I would not hear,
saith the L-rd of hosts;"

May it not be so with us, dear friends!