Over the past three weeks here at Maiden Lane we have been journeying through a sermon series dealing with the issue of prayer. We have received challenges in three key areas in our lives as believers. We have been called to be prayer powerfully for our families, to prayer powerfully for our church and the church at large, and finally to prayer powerfully for the nation. We have looked to God’s Word for help in knowing what to prayer for in each of these vital areas. Regarding prayer, God’s Word has much to teach us about the “How” of prayer. Often times this “how'” is limited to our speaking to God. In reality prayer is a two-way street of conversation. Certainly we speak and God listens but there is also the importance of God’s speaking and our listening.
This coming Sunday we will celebrate with our many high school and college graduates. As these young people transition to a new season of life what voices will they allow to speak into their lives and guide them forward? Pastor Tim Riley, our student ministries pastor, will be sharing a message titled “The Voice”. His message will touch upon themes linked to the importance of our listening to God and how and what He speaks to His children. Here are some thoughts regarding the songs we will use in worship this week.
- Everlasting God- Brown & Riley
- Open Up the Heavens-Rozier, McDonald, Ingram, Andrews & Garrard,
- Give Me Faith- Brown, Gatch, Brock & Joye
- Here’s My Heart- Tomlin, Ingram & Giglio
- No One Higher- Balltzglier, Condrey & Fee
The opening song of worship takes its text from the writing of the prophet Isaiah. The prophet reminds us that those “who wait on the Lord” will renew their strength. When it come to hearing the voice of God we must learn how to wait. So many times in life we say that we long to hear Him speak but the truth is God can hardly get in a word edge-wise. We have left no space for Him to speak. If we are to hear God speak into our lives then we must make room for Him to do so. The word ‘wait” here implies an eager expectancy which I pray marks our hearts when we gather to worship.
Open Up the Heavens continues this idea of expectancy. The song calls out “open up the heavens, we want to see You”. The concept of expectancy is so vital to hearing God speak. Perhaps there have been times where we said that we longed for God to speak into a situation but when it came right down to it we didn’t really believe that He would or wanted to do so. It is hard to ask for something if you don’t believe that the person your asking is either listening or will respond. Anyone every been guilty of think “God is too busy to care about my issues? Surely He has more important things to do.” Those words reveal little expectancy that we will hear the voice of God.
The next two songs dig even deeper into this theme of hearing God’s voice. Give Me Faith reveals another issue that often interferes with our hearing. The song chorus says “Give me faith to trust what You say, that Your good and Your love is great”. It is hard to listen to someone when you lack trust in their character or their advice. When we are captured by and convinced of the goodness and unbreakable love of God it deepens our faith and trust in the voice of God when He speaks to us. God delights to give the gift of faith graciously to His children but we must realize and confess our need for increased faith. We must cry out with the words found in the gospels, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief”. Here’s My Heart sings of this act of surrender. “Here’s my heart Lord, speak what is true”. These words also hint at one other important element when it comes to hearing the voice of God. We must come with the intent to be obedient to whatever God speaks to us. In order to hear the voice of God we must listen with the not only holy expectation but also with holy intention. It is my prayer that as we gather for worship on Sunday, that these song words will give expression to the desire of every heart that gives them.
We conclude our time together with a song that speaks of the greatness of our God. “There is no one higher than our God, there is no one greater than You.” When one needs an answer it is always best to go to one who possesses lots of knowledge on the subject. If you had a question regarding your health would you rather consult an actual doctor or just someone who plays one on TV? There is not a single question in all of life were God is not the highest authority. He is the author of life and the Lord of all the universe. He is the source for all that we need and so we worship Him with these final words “Lord we stand amazed in Your presence. Astounded by Your mercy and love. Our hands are lifted high in surrender. Your grace for me is always enough. There is no one higher than our God, there is no one greater than You. Let my life forever praise the glory of Your name. There is no one higher than You.”
Traveling Music 