Today’s Bible reading from the Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 8-11, Psalm 28, Colossians 2

In Psalm 28, David has a concern: God seems silent. Is He hearing his pleas for help and mercy? Is he speaking any words of comfort or direction his way?

People have the need to be heard. And they will take whoever they can get. Many therapists will tell you that the majority of their clients just need someone to talk to to help provide some sort of guidance. In other words, they need to be heard and also long to hear that someone cares. Yet, if we’re not careful, we can go find a substitute that may seem good- -even godly.

While I know that this devotional is a bestseller and that some of you here in this room may have this devotional, I pray you’ll hear me out. Sarah Young penned a devotional a few years ago called Jesus Calling that took the evangelical world by storm. Young described the rationale for the book in this way:

I began to wonder if I … could receive messages during my times of communing with God. I had been writing in prayer journals for years, but that was one-way communication: I did all the talking. I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more. Increasingly, I wanted to hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day.

The publisher added:

After many years of writing her own words in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to be more attentive to the Savior’s voice and begin listening for what He was saying. So with pen in hand, she embarked on a journey that forever changed her—and many others around the world. In these powerful pages are the words and Scriptures Jesus lovingly laid on her heart.

Now, again, Young’s works have gone on to sell very, very well. Yet, the concern I have is that the Scriptures were not enough. “I knew God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 actually tells us that Scripture is sufficient. What Young expressed was what David felt–this is not the first time David has expressed this, and it won’t be the last. This honesty helps all of us realize that the Bible is grounded in reality. Verse 1 sets the table: “To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.”

God hears us, speaks to us, and helps us. We need to hear from Him.