Quiet Time For Your SoulSample

Ears That Hear Him

Have you ever received news that broke your heart and took your breath away? In a moment like that, when God’s promises don’t seem to line up with your circumstances, it’s easy to wonder where He is in the midst of your pain.

Those are the times we most need to get alone with God so we can try to get His perspective on things. We need to have ears to hear our heavenly Father when overwhelming problems surround us.

It was on February 7, 1938, that German pastor Martin Niemöller needed to hear from God in just this way. That morning Martin was led from his prison cell to the courtroom for his trial. His crime was daring to speak against Adolf Hitler.

Martin had been so courageous in the weeks and months leading up to that day, but as he began the long walk toward judgment, he found himself overcome with fear for himself and the people he loved.

Martin needed to hear from God.

The guard who led him along the passageway seemed cold as stone, but after a moment Martin began to hear a soft whispering. At first Martin wasn’t sure what he was hearing, but as he listened more carefully, he realized it was the guard’s voice. God’s message to Martin was being delivered through the unlikeliest of messengers: a soldier of the Third Reich. He was whispering words from Proverbs that brought great comfort and courage to Martin’s soul: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).*

Are you, like Martin, overwhelmed by your circumstances today? Do you find yourself turning your situation over and over in your mind, desperate for a solution, then feeling knocked down by a fresh wave of fear?

Go to your heavenly Father. He knows what you are up against. Spend some time with Him so that He can fine-tune your hearing and remind you of who He is and what you mean to Him.

Today, Lord, enable me to hear Your voice above every other.

* Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000), 152.