re-centering on the powerful, majestic voice of god

By Laura Hardin (WITHIN Devotional Writer)

A few weeks ago, I felt caught between a war of voices. I woke every morning to grab my phone and re-engage with the conversation on racial justice that was happening across the country and around the world. Burdened for the church, I often reminded my sisters to hope in Jesus, while doing the very opposite myself. I lived with my phone as my constant companion, centering on the perspectives of others rather than on the truth of God’s word. I lived like the problems of the world rested on my shoulders, not his. I functioned as though the word of Christ--his voice--wasn’t enough.
In short, I lived without real hope.

I was tempted to dismiss his voice as weak, too malleable, too easily misconstrued into comfortable excuses to not live out our faith. But this is a satanic lie, to be likened to the words of the serpent who tempted Eve to question the voice of her Creator. Psalm 29 lets us in on exactly what the voice of God can do:
Like a storm coming in, inducing warnings from every storm center around, the voice of the Lord

• hovers over the waters 
  
• is powerful and majestic 
  
• breaks cedars 
  
• makes people run away like oxen
  
• flashes forth flames of fire
  
• shakes the wilderness
  
• makes deer give birth
  
• strips forests bare
  
• makes his people cry, "Glory!"
  

The Lord's voice is so powerful, it brought our whole world into being. When God speaks, stuff happens. People are healed. Needs are met. The voice that breaks cedars breaks through the callous, deceptive, rebellious hearts of men and saves them. The author of Hebrews describes the word of God as "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
The voice of God changes hearts. He gives his people eyes to see and address the needs of people around them. He gives them hearts to do justice. This is his work, not mine. We see the might of his voice at work  in Acts 9 when Jesus speaks and takes hold of Paul’s heart in a single instance. Is this not what has happened to all who have come to know and believe the love God has for us (1 John 4:16)?
Can any of the voices that fill my mind do what God's can? Can my own?
The voice of the Lord may be a low whisper at times but it's a powerful one. Apart from Christ, I imagine we cannot bear his shouts.  
Since God convicted me of an idolatrous obsession with everyone else's voice, I’ve come back to the simple aim of abiding in his voice--centering on what he has said in his word and allowing that to speak into every issue on my heart. In trusting that he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, I can heed his word to be patient while he works it out through the hearts of his people--including my own.
Because the voice of God is powerful, majestic, I join the assembly of the saints this morning and cry, “Glory!” Praise God! We have hope, for he gives strength to his people. He gives his people peace. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:




Psalm 29
Genesis 1
Acts 9
Mark 4:35-41


Questions to Reflect on:

1. Who are you listening to the most these days?
2. What adjustments can you make to centralize the word of God in your day-to-day life?
3. Consider what’s weighing on you this week. How does the Bible address these issues?
4. When we feel hopeless, we must redirect our hearts to the gospel. Have you taken time to preach the gospel to yourself today?