God is not Hard of Hearing
Wednesday morning the alarm jarred me awake a little before 6 AM. Rain drops splattered against the skylight in the bathroom; lightening brightened the otherwise dark sky. After showering, I grabbed my lunch, snagged an umbrella, and drove to the junior high school. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed the clouds parting and the raindrops dwindling. I watched a parade of vehicles driving through the lot, young teenagers disembarking from each, some gathering under the American Flag. By 7:00 AM, over 150 students formed a large circle in the courtyard around the flagpole. A student leader shouted instructions, and soon every head bowed. I’m glad God is not hard of hearing.
As the group prayed, cars, vans, and school buses continued to drop students off for another day of school. Slamming car doors, kids chatting, and the constant rumble of engines drowned out most of the voices lifting up prayers on behalf of the school, the city, and our nation. I admit I peeked at times in an attempt to read lips on the opposite side of the circle. No luck. I bowed my head and thanked God for the privilege of standing with this group of teenagers and marveled at the thought that even though organizations like the ACLU strive to banish God from the public school system, God’s word promises that where “two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” No matter how hard freedom from religion groups fight and bellyache, God’s promises trump lawsuits and court injunctions.
As a student leader wrapped up the gathering, scores of teenagers burst into spontaneous applause. Another local Pastor stood at my side, and he commented about the noisy traffic and the need for a portable sound system. Our aging ears failed to hone in on the prayers of the teens; tinnitus in my right ear didn’t help either. But then a poignant thought crossed my mind, God is not hard of hearing.
Think for a moment of a loud place. Maybe a sporting venue comes to mind, or a concert. Some think of their church praise team and wish for quieter Sunday morning worship sets. I remember attending a Petra Concert years ago. I stood with several of my friends two rows in front of a speaker the size of a mid-size automobile. Needless to say, our internal organs vibrated and our ears heard nothing but the musicians and vocalists. Communication to friends on either side was fruitless. However, had I chosen to speak to God at any time during that concert, He would have not said, “Eh…Sonny? Can you say that again?” God is not hard of hearing.
Sometimes the “racket” of life distracts us and stat-icky circumstances blur our ability to see God and we forget that reception is never a problem on God’s end. We need only stop and meditate on Philippians 4:16,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
As we get nearer the election, the cacophony in the United States and around the world promises to increase. In the midst of the din, let’s pinpoint our focus on God as did Daniel when encompassed by ravenous lions. May the roar of life trigger a faithful prayer life. God hears above the roar.
God is not hard of hearing.
I like this. It is so simple yet so powerfully true. God’s hearing is SO good that we do not even need to speak our words aloud.
It struck me that you mentioned Petra because I was at a secular place recently, and over the music system, they were playing God Gave Rock and Roll to You. I thought, “Do they realize what this is?! Hehe.