Reading: Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

Reflection

Read the first verses again with me. “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

The psalmist says he loves the Lord because God listened to his cries. This struck me as I read this psalm because you don’t often hear someone say, “I love you because you are a good listener!” I’m sure you know people in your lives who listen well but have you ever thought that is the only reason you love them?

This Sunday, we again hear the story of the disciples who were walking along the road to Emmaus. Jesus is there with them. And what does he do? Listen!

In the coming days, let’s try harder to listen more to those we love. Maybe they, too, will grow in their love for you because you are actively listening to their voice and supplications!

–Chad Hershberger

Prayer

Listening God, we give you thanks that you hear every word we say to you, even those “signs too deep for words.” Forgive us when we fail to listen to others; give us your ears to hear. 

Amen.