2026 Easter Devotions
Tuesday, April 14
Psalm 116:1-7
1 I love the Lord because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord,
“O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
5 Gracious is the Lord and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The Lord protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
“… I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications. …”
One of the greatest gifts in life is to be heard. Counselors, pastors, and some others are taught the art of active listening. That means they try to pay attention not only to the words being spoken but the deeper meanings behind them. That involves body language, nuanced inflections, speech patterns, and eye movement. All of those can lead the listener to a deeper understanding of the person and what is being said.
Too often, however, those to whom we are talking have their own agendas. While they may make significant eye contact and offer the occasional nod, they are not really paying attention. The words, emotions, and revelation of the speaker are simply “going in one ear and out the other”. Talking to such people often feels the same as talking to a wall.
The psalmist reminds us that God listens – truly listens to us. Like the active listener, God hears our words, recognizes our deepest feelings, comprehends our intentions, and senses the depth of our heart. Knowing that God listens with such attentiveness inspires to turn to God more often. It encourages us to carry ourselves fully into the presence of the Lord. It gives us the courage to be open and honest, knowing that God listens, hears, and responds in love.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for listening to our prayers, supplications, and intercessions – to who we are. Teach me the ways of actively listening that I may be a source of strength for another. Amen.