Who are you listening to?

February 10, 2009

Who are you listening to?

Psalm 29

David Dzina

Central Truth

We all have a choice: listen to the Voice that spoke the universe into existence, bringing peace and truth, or listen to the voice that deceives, bringing fear and doubt.

The Lord's shout is powerful, the Lord's shout is majestic. (Psalm 29:4)

Ascribe to the LORD Glory

A Psalm of David.

1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,^{1

29:1
Hebrew sons of God, or sons of might}
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.^{2

29:2
Or in holy attire}

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the LORD, over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
    the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth^{3

29:9
Revocalization yields makes the oaks to shake}
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless^{4

29:11
Or The LORD will give The LORD will bless} his people with peace!

Footnotes

[1] 29:1 Hebrew sons of God, or sons of might
[2] 29:2 Or in holy attire
[3] 29:9 Revocalization yields makes the oaks to shake
[4] 29:11 Or The LORD will give . . . The LORD will bless

Dear Lord,

As I read this psalm of David, I am reminded of Your great power and my great weakness. You spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1) and I pridefully try to control my life. Forgive me for not worshiping You and understanding You as Creator. You have a voice that calms the storms of life, that conquers the giants I face, that brings peace, love, and joy.

Too many times in my life, Lord, I have listened to a voice that says I am not good enough to be loved the way You love me; that I should exaggerate the truth to be accepted; that I should cover up my sins and pretend they are not there; that I should live in isolation and believe everything in life is perfect, only to watch it crumble when things have not gone according to my plan. That voice is full of the lies of the deceiver who has come to steal, kill, and destroy, preventing me from the abundant life (John 10:10) of authenticity and true freedom found only in You.

Grant me the strength and security that You freely give to Your people (Psalm 29:11). May I listen to the whisper in my heart that is full of Your power and strength (Job 26:14). Forgive me when I doubt. Fill me with the courage to live for You. Continue to mold me into the follower of Jesus Christ You have called me to be so that I may love others the way You love me. Protect me from the tendency I have in listening to the noise of this world.

Thank you, Father, for Your great power to conquer all things that bind. In Your Risen Son's name, Amen.

1. Who's got your ear, and where is it leading you?

2. What part of your life are you living in isolation and listening to the noise of this world?

3. How often are you tuning in to God's Word during the week? How is it transforming your life?

Peace