Pastor Ben’s Ponderings

“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.”         (Psalm 4:3)

As a Pastor, people talk to me about a lot of things. A lady shared with me once all the wrong turns she had made in life, and more recently, the right choices that brought her to a godly perspective and peace. Another time, after I had preached a sermon on heaven, I was blessed to talk to a man who had recently lost his wife and he said, “As you were preaching, I could picture my wife walking down the streets of gold.” Another time, I was pulled aside by a young lady who poured out her heart, telling me about what she was experiencing in her life at that time. She finished, smiled, and hugged me and said, “You have really helped me.” I had not even said one word.

You see, I have learned through the years that sometimes all we need to do is listen to people. We live in a loud world. To get someone’s attention is no easy task. I try to listen to people, but I know I sometimes miss their signal and fail to hear. But I know from personal experience that there is someone we can talk to who is always listening. Our voices matter in heaven. God takes us very seriously. No need to fear that we will be ignored. Even if we stammer or stumble, even if what we have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and He listens. He listens to the plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the confession of the death-row inmate. When the substance abuser begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the worldly person steps off the street into the church, God listens. Our prayers are honored. Our words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.

Consider the prayer of Moses for the children of Israel in Exodus 32:30-32, or the prayer of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:5. We may not understand the mystery of prayer. We don’t need to, but this much is clear: action in heaven begins when someone prays on earth. Talk to God because God listens.