Here To Hear

LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.

Psalm 10:17

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS IS simple and eternal. Jesus says, “I am here.” Four hundred years of silence between God and His people—beginning with the closing of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5-6) and lasting until the coming of John the Baptist—had finally come to an end. In sending His Son, God the Father proclaimed to the world, “I hear you, and I am now with you. I am Emmanuel—God with you.”

Notice two things about the way God hears us. First, He listens with the purpose of strengthening our hearts. He hears what we say, He feels what we feel (Hebrews 4:15), and He doesn’t cut us off as we pour out our hearts to Him. Second, He listens carefully. He doesn’t miss one word or one tear.

Here’s the principle for Christian husbands: If the man is to be to his wife as Jesus is to His church (Ephesians 5:21-33), then the husband must listen to his wife in the same manner—that is, unconditionally, without prejudging what she says, without cutting her off in midsentence. He must listen carefully and help her see that her cares and concerns are his own.

This is a Christmas gift to give to your wife 365 days a year. It’s a gift she will treasure far more than baubles and beads. It’s the gift of listening—when she knows that you are “here to hear.” It’s a gift that will keep on giving for the rest of your days.

BOTTOM LINE

Thank God that He listens to you, and ask Him to put the power of listening to work in your marriage.

Moment of Strength: James 1:19