Open Ears; Obedient Hearts

"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints - but let them not return to folly."
Psalm 84:8

It is remarkable how God-initiated lessons can find believers when they least expect it. Sometimes divine instruction can come through Scripture. Sometimes divine instruction can come through song. Sometimes divine instruction can come through the service, or solace, of a friend. Clearly , there are many mechanisms God chooses to employ His holy-inspired tutelage. But in order for it to be properly received it requires a willingness on the part of recipients to exhibit open ears and obedient hearts. The Lord's great dispensing of wisdom yields no benefit to lives that refuse to be sensitive to God's movement. Therefore, God's followers must ensure that they are surrendering to a moldable spirit, driven by a total yearning to be led by the Lord.

I remember well when I collided with a God-initated lesson in July 2009. The date is so prominent in my mind because it occurred a little after our family had passed the one year mark of living in a home we purchased in the summer of 2008. As it turns out, the instrument of God's communication was funneled through my son, Jayden, who was just three years old at the time. On a non-descript day in July 2009, my wife and I noticed that our house was getting unusually hot. We checked the thermostat and attempted to bring the interior temperature down. But after an hour we realized that the air conditioning unit was not functioning properly. The house was quickly starting to warm up, and soon felt like one elongated steam room. Given that Oklahoma summers can present some intense heat for the better part of July and August my wife and I knew we had to get this problem fixed as soon as possible.

We tried the normal troubleshooting steps, but nothing made the air conditioning unit malfunction reverse itself. We then called a few different AC repair companies and found one that could make it out that afternoon. We set-up an appointment and eagerly waited the repairman's arrival. When the repairman inspected our unit he determined that there was a faulty part that needed immediate replacement. Unfortunately, the part was not covered by the air conditioning unit's warranty, and, to make matters worse, the residential warranty on our house had just expired.  We were responsible for the entire AC repair bill, which ended up being several hundred dollars. I remember frustration welled up inside of me, mainly because I kept thinking that if the AC unit's momentary breakdown would have transpired one week earlier we would have paid little-to-nothing as it would have been covered by the residential warranty's policy. The timing just seemed so lousy, and the consideration of that fact tormented me as it circulated in my head.

Later that night, I spent some moments with Jayden before he went to sleep. As is our custom, we prayed together. Normally I lead in the bedtime supplication to God, but that night I asked Jayden to do it. Honestly, I was so upset about the money we had just expended I could not find any suitable words to say to God. I lost all sense of maturity and spirituality and transferred that evening's prayer responsibility to my toddler son. And then God did something spectacular, even in my hour of pettiness and juvenile behavior. Jayden and I closed our eyes and in his simple, straightforward way Jayden uttered an opening line something to the effect of, "God, thank you for sending someone to fix the air." That was all it took. My soul was suddenly gripped with a sense of God's stirring. I almost burst into tears because I was made aware of my callousness. 

It was obvious that the Lord was using the tender, precious heart of my son to impart a vital lesson to me. Through Jayden's short, soft-spoken prayer a spirit of thankfulness was powerfully conveyed. I was embarrassed, and humbled, by the fact that I had failed to render a grateful demeanor the entire day. Instead, I had been consumed with the inconvenience of having the air conditioner worked on. Miffed that my preconceived plans were interrupted. Perturbed about having to exhaust some of our family's financial savings. And yet my three year old son had a greater grasp on the proper response than I did. 

Nowhere in my "woe is me" pity party did I appreciate God for His blessings. Our family had the privilege of having an air conditioner, which many people around the world do not enjoy. Our family was able to get the unit repaired the very day it went down, which is pretty remarkable. And our family had the funds in place to pay for the mini-emergency. But somehow all of those considerations had escaped me. But my infant child held a polar opposite viewpoint. He understood that the air conditioner was once broken but was now fixed. And he thanked God for it.

This personal account, as well as the overarching message in Psalm 84, highlight a marvelous truth: God speaks to those who listen to Him. Granted, the messages believers receive will most likely not be audible messages that reign down from heaven to earth. But for the heart that seeks the Lord it can surely find Him. Somehow. Some way. And this is the framework that supports Psalm 84. The Hebrew songwriter was so joyful about worshipping God that he could barely contain his enthusiasm. The opening verse to this anthem proclaims, "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." This passage articulates a fervent passion in the life of the psalmist. He was so enamored and enraptured with God that his energy to privately, and publicly, praise God was evident in his thoughts and actions. 

Psalm 84 underscores that for a believer there is no more satisfying longing than being in God's company. His holiness astounds. His love captivates. His breaking of our selfishness leads us to righteousness. Furthermore, the author of this psalm astutely pointed out that a moment in God's presence is superior to a lifetime with the wicked (Psalm 84:10). Why? Because God is the light unto darkness and the Protector of the weak (Psalm 84:11). And God is the immortal Rock and the everlasting Ruler (Psalm 84:12).  

To those who have open ears and obedient hearts God is a Supreme being indeed. And the confirmation of His greatness is apparent and authentic. The supernatural blessings He proffers to His followers are not materialistic in nature; they are spiritual. When you know God, and serve Him wholeheartedly, you discover purpose and direction. You have assurance that the Lord is in control of this life, and the life to come. You are freed from the burdens of life's mistakes and trappings. You find the soul and voice to rejoice because you are in a right standing with God. In other words, you learn that the real treasure in the world is God. And you can brave each day knowing that God will bring to pass what He deems appropriate and best. So may we be actively exercising open ears and obedient hearts for God eagerly awaits opportunities to impart knowledge to us.