Psalm 17:1-7 LISTEN

Lent is always calling us to center, to reflect, to grieve, and to pray.  To begin devotions this day I invite you to find a quiet place, hopefully some place in which you can feel the sun and be still.  Open you palm and with a finger slowly, slowly trace a box in your palm.  As you trace the top, slowly breathe in, pause at the corner, as you trace the side, slowly exhale, pause at the corner and continue.  Do this 2-3 times.

Our verses for this week are from Psalm 17:1-7 (NIV)

1 Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.

4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.

5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

In a short reflection of this Psalm we can point to a few different things.  First we notice the psalmist, we assume David, and God have an active relationship.  They engage each other frequently.  The psalmist writes about his faithfulness to God. There is an invitation for God to look at the psalmist’s heart, to visit and test him proving his faithfulness.  The Psalmist then  asks that God act on behalf of the psalmist.   Second, the psalmist trusts that as he prays to God, God will listen and answer him.  The psalmist is bringing his deepest concerns and worries to God, trusting that God is and will respond.  Finally the Psalmist acknowledges God’s steadfast love.

Today I want to focus on the phrase “listen to my cry”. And then to really draw our attention to the word “Listen”. Have you ever said or thought, “I know you can hear me, but are you really listening to me?”  Hearing is often done passively, listening, NRSV Attending, requires participation, engagement.   Way more could be said on that but what I want us to do is to take a picture or scroll through your phone’s picture roll or think of an image that represents the word “LISTEN” to you. Ready? Go!

Take some time to reflect on your image and on these questions.

1.     What makes it hard for you to listen?

2.     What in your life would you like God to listen to?

3.     What would you like to hear more from God?

4.     What blessings have you received from listening or being listened too?

If you can, share your image on Easter Connect.

“GOD thank you for listening, seeing and protecting us.  Help us to do the same to all of your people.  AMEN”