CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

There was an old retired preacher who lived with his wife down the street. He was content to care for his wife and tend his vegetable garden. Many times people would come to his house for advice, prayer and comfort. Much of his ministry now was done in blue jeans and at odd times.

One day a young man dropped by for a talk. He was desperate because he had lost his job and didn’t know how he was going to provide for his family. As he poured out his heart to the preacher he angrily declared "I’ve begged and begged God to say something to help me, preacher. Why doesn’t God answer?"

The old preacher, who was sitting across the room, spoke a reply so quietly the young man was unable to make it out. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, again in a soft tone. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher’s chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn’t hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear him."

Dear Lord, if I can’t hear your voice in my deep need, help me to be smart enough to move closer. AMEN