“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35).
The Lord speaks, but it depends on us to listen. The essential thing is not to close our ears, to be open and not to stifle His voice. It is gentle, secret, an intimate whisper from heart to heart. But how can we hear it if we are full of the noise of the world — its vanities, worries, passions, and anxieties? If we get lost in the empty tumult, with its rivalries and distractions, God’s voice is muffled. We need to silence the noise to perceive what He says.
The secret to hearing amidst this confusion is to follow Jesus’ example: to isolate oneself. Not always physically, but at least in mind and heart, creating space for God. When you do this, you realize He asks for one simple thing: obedience. It was the same with the great ones of the Scriptures — when they listened and obeyed, heaven opened, bringing blessings, protection, and salvation.
So, turn off the noise today. Listen to the Lord’s whisper, like someone seeking a precious treasure. Decide to obey His voice, just as the faithful of the past did, and you will see God’s hand at work, guiding you to a life of peace and eternal purpose. -Adapted from E. B. Pusey. Until tomorrow, if the Lord permits us.
Pray with me: Dear God, it is true that many times, I get lost in the empty tumult, full of distractions and rivalries, closing my ears to what You have to say to me. I acknowledge that I need to silence the noise, and I ask You to help me be open, creating space to hear You with clarity and attention.
My Father, today I ask You to give me the grace to follow Jesus’ example, isolating my mind and heart, even in the midst of confusion, to perceive Your voice calling me to obedience. Teach me to turn off the noise of the world and to seek You as one seeks a treasure, knowing that when I listen and obey, like the great ones of the Scriptures, heaven opens over me. I ask You to guide me to respond to Your whisper with a ready “yes,” so that I may live according to Your will and receive Your blessings.
Oh, Most Holy God, I adore and praise You for speaking to my heart, promising peace, protection, and eternal purpose to those who heed Your voice and obey faithfully, like the faithful of the past who saw Your hand at work. Your beloved Son is my eternal Prince and Savior. Your powerful Law is the silence that quiets my soul, a gentle light that reveals Your whisper. Your commandments are steps that lead me to You, a beautiful sound of intimacy that echoes within my being. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
