He Has Heard
My wife is a professional counsellor—in fact (and putting aside all bias) she is highly accomplished and remarkably good (ok, maybe I can't remove all bias).
An excellent counsellor is skilled in hearing.
I too, as a pastor, am called on from time-to-time to offer counsel. Unfortunately for those involved, hearing is not my strongest skill-set. I can listen, but listening isn't the same as hearing.
My wife has a Spirit-given ability to listen to the words, but also hear the heart.
Maybe you have been in that situation where you have poured your heart out to another, yet at the end of the conversation, you went away thinking, "They did not hear me." But, oh how your soul sings when you feel that your heart's cry has been truly heard! It makes all the difference.
God has heard. More than mere listening, the God of this universe has heard your cry in the secret moments of dark hours. When all the world around seems deaf to your pain, God has heard.
“I love the LORD because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live. The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “LORD, save me!” The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate. The LORD guards the inexperienced; I was helpless, and he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:1–7, CSB)
That's me—the helpless. I have nothing to offer, no riches or merit, yet my God has inclined his ear toward my cry. Just the knowledge that God has heard me, preserves hope.
And that is my prayer for you also. I want you to know that God has heard.
You may reply, "No he hasn't—he can't of. I am in a dry and desolate place, cut off and surrounded."
"Yes—he has. God has heard."
“Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his faithful love to me in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to you for help.” (Psalm 31:21–22, CSB)
God has heard your cry. In fact, before your mouth had uttered the words, God had heard the cry of your heart:
“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, CSB)
God does not merely listen, he has truly heard.
So I ask you to join me—that in your darkest hours, you too would resolve to pray the words of Micah.
“But I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7, CSB)
