I wonder what God’s voice sounds like. It must be a blend of strength, gentleness, immense power, vibrant spirit, hearty laughter, and sweet kindness. I’ve never heard it audibly, but the Holy Spirit has whispered into my heart at times. Sometimes it’s a few words of encouragement. Other times, He’ll remind me to get my act together. He’s like that you know. Tender and direct.
This morning as I settled into my Bible study time, the Holy Spirit nudged me with this reminder: God is able.
How timely and encouraging. I’ve been working on messages for speaking engagements scheduled down the road, and I’m at that place that I call “muddy.” You know how you feel when you’re working on a project, and you’ve almost got it, but you know you don’t, and you know you’re on track but it’s not quite right, and you are tired of thinking about it, but you know you have to keep working on it? Yea. That’s where my writing is.
God is able was the breath of fresh air my body and soul needed.
The Bible often reminds us of this truth.
God, who is able to make you strong (Romans 16:25)
God, who is able to keep you from falling away (Jude 24)
He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him (2 Timothy 1:12 NIV)
As I sat with the hope those three words bring, two visuals played out in my mind that made the hope and the promise they bring come alive.
Consider this with me …
We see pictures of puppies or kittens who have been abandoned. The fear in their eyes is almost palpable. They cower in the corner, shaking, wanting to be seen, and yet not wanting to be seen. We want to reach through the computer or TV screen and gently pet them. Hold them. Help them feel better again.
We see babies and toddlers who are sick or hungry or left alone. Our hearts break, don’t they? What we see takes our breath away. We want to eliminate their pain. Take them in our laps and rock them, kiss the tops of their heads, gently rub circles on their backs with our fingers. Whisper in their ear, You are loved so much.
We want to remove these God-created precious ones from their tough situations. Change things for them. We want to do something.
Isn’t it marvelous to know …
God looks down and feels that same care and love for us. Even more deeply. Much more deeply. Divinely. He wants to make things better. He wants to do something. He wants us to let Him.
God sees your hurts. Your pain. Your fear. He sees you cowering, fearful of what might come next.
And He can, you know. Make it better. He is able.
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2)
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” (Psalm 18:16)
“The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” (Psalm 121:5-6)
He lifts you out of the slimy pit.
He draws you out of deep waters.
He watches over you.
The God Who is Able is faithful to His promises. And we need to let Him in. Into our hurts. Our sadness. He longs to hear our voice, to hold us, gently rock us while He helps us rest. Lean in and you can hear Him whisper, You are loved so much.
You are loved by a gracious, holy God. A God who is able.
Choose today to turn your face to Him. Talk with Him. Sit quietly with Him.
He’s waiting for you. He’ll be there. Listening. Caring. Loving. Healing.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory … (Ephesians 3:20)
God is able.
