What If God Has Been Speaking? (Day 284)

Sunday, October 11 | Psalm 81

What If God Has Been Speaking?

by Torrie Slaughter

Scripture Anchor:

“Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!” — Psalm 81:13

We've spent this week remembering God.

We've told His story.

We've confronted our tendency to forget.

We've trusted Him with unfinished chapters.

We've lamented.

We've asked Him to restore.

And now Psalm 81 gives us an unexpected ending.

God speaks.

“Oh, that my people would listen to me.”

Perhaps the question isn't always whether God is speaking.

Sometimes the question is whether we've become willing to listen.

Psalm 81 remembers the God who delivered Israel from Egypt, relieved their burdens, answered them in distress, and provided for them.

Yet His people would not listen.

They wanted God's provision without consistently wanting God's voice.

We can do that too.

We ask Him to guide us and then resist the instruction.

We ask Him to change our circumstances while ignoring what He's trying to change within us.

We pray, “Lord, speak,” while quietly hoping He agrees with the plan we've already made.

But El Olam has been God longer than we've been forming opinions.

His wisdom doesn't need updating.

His Word doesn't become obsolete because culture changes.

His character isn't revised to suit our preferences.

The Everlasting God invites us to listen—and listening to Him requires the humility to obey when His voice challenges ours.

So perhaps the best way to finish this first week isn't by asking God another question.

Perhaps it is by becoming quiet enough to hear His.

Heart Turn

Before asking God for anything today, sit quietly with this question:

Lord, what have You already said that I need to obey?

Return to Scripture. Consider what the Holy Spirit has been bringing repeatedly to your attention. Then take one concrete step of obedience.

Prayer

El Olam, Everlasting God, quiet the noise competing for my attention. Forgive me for asking You to speak while resisting what You have already said. Give me ears to hear, a heart willing to receive, and courage to obey. You have been faithful through every generation. Teach me to walk in Your ways and trust that Your wisdom is greater than mine. In Jesus' name, amen.

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