It snowed the other night. Not enough to be bothersome and in need of shoveling. It was the soft, quiet, and gentle snow that covers just enough to blanket the trees and grass in a white beauty.
I open my book in the early morning and read:
“I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me. Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare themselves more and more by daily by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries …”
(from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A. Kempis)
It is not my first reading through the above mentioned book because truly once is not enough. The passages take on such a different slant at the start of a new year, a year when my longing is to fully hear God. To fully hear, I will need to be more focused and deliberate to listen.
There is much which will attempt to lure us away from the expedient and cause us to miss that which our souls are longing.
It is in both the slow and the wait that our ears hear, our eyes see, our hearts are fixed, and we are prepared. We are moved forward against all that our eyes see, believing for that which is yet unseen.
“Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.” (Psalm 85:10-13, NLT)
Warren Wiersbe explains this in a beautiful and hope-filled way:
“The psalmist described a world of holiness and harmony, a picture of the coming kingdom over which Christ shall reign. And what a harvest there will be … As people walk through the land, God’s righteousness will go before them and their way will be prepared. God’s will shall be done on earth just as it is now done in heaven.”
(from The Wiersbe Study Bible, page 833)
We come to realize that our Lord has come, and is come, and is yet coming.
“Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God.”
May we be blessed to hear His whisper.
Photo by Gino Castillo on Unsplash
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
Joanne, I’m thinking we’re both looking out our windows this morning yet again to another soft blanket of pure white.
Have a peaceful day, friend.
Thanks, Jo, for a very timely word. I want ears that hear our LORD more than anything.
“It is in both the slow and the wait that our ears hear, our eyes see, our hearts are fixed, and we are prepared.” I love this! Thank you, Joanne.
So true!!!
I love this – “There is much which will attempt to lure us away from the expedient and cause us to miss that which our souls are longing.”
True wisdom!!! Thanks for sharing!
May we not be lured away from what our soul longs for. What a blessing g it is to walk on His path that fulfills all our longings!
Enjoyed Ms. Joanne. For me, it’s not the gentle snowfall, but the soft wind, quietly whispering His love for me beneath the pines. Hearing God requires us to incline our ears and listen for Him, doesn’t it? God’s blessings in this new year sweet friend.