The voice of the Lord can become a powerful, guiding force in our lives – not in a fear inducing, paralyzing or threatening way – but in a gloriously transformative, healing and liberating way for ourselves and our world.
Can we imagine that learning to listen and hear God’s voice could bring such depth of life, wholeness and peace?
Or be as simple as slowing and quieting enough to listen?
To pay attention?
Or to even believe that using our own voice can be one of the means to discern God’s voice?
May we pause again today, to listen in the silence of our homes and hearts and in our shared listening together.
The voice of the Lord is near. So near.
Psalm 29 NLT
Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;
he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord strikes
with bolts of lightning.
The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly savor this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 29 – Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
Give praise to the Beloved, all heavenly hosts,
Sing of Love’s glory and strength.
Exalt the glory of Love’s Name;
Adore the Beloved in holy splendor.
The voice of the Beloved is upon the waters;
Love’s voice echoes of the oceans and seas.
The voice of Love is powerful,
majestic is the heart of Love.
The mercy of the Beloved breaks the bonds of oppression,
shatters the chains of injustice.
Love invites all to the dance of freedom,
to sing the Beloved’s song of truth.
The voice of Love strikes with fire upon hearts of stone.
The voice of Love uproots the thorns of fear,
Love uproots fear in every open heart.
The voice of Love is heard in every storm,
and strips the ego bear;
And in the Heart’s chapel, all cry,
“Peace and Glory forever!”
The Beloved lives in our hearts;
Love dwells with us forever.
You who awaken to the Light of universal Oneness
will know the Blessed joy of serving in the great Work of Love.