Opened Ears

OPENED EARS

“Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning;
for in Thee do I trust. ” – Psalm cxliii. 8.

THE ears of my soul are fast stopped, Lord, until Thou dost open them. I am deaf, and cannot hear the music of the mercies which are singing around me, like sweet choristers from Heaven.

     “Cause me to hear.” As Thou didst open the eyes of Elisha’s servant, to behold Thine armies of defense and protection for Thy prophet, so unclose my ears that the tones of Thy still small voice may penetrate to my heart, and thrill it with exceeding joy ;or, if I am too deafened by the roar and rush of earth’s turmoil and distress, speak more loudly to me, Lord, “Cause me to hear,” lest I should miss the unspeakable privilege of listening to Thee.

     “Thy loving-kindness.” Lord, what unutterable depths of compassion are covered by those two words! Thy “kindness ” would be an undeserved mercy; but Thy ” loving-kindness ‘ is a miracle of Divine condescension and pity. Thou dost not only rescue, Thou dost embrace; Thou dost not only pardon, Thou dost espouse; and the robe of Thy righteousness, which is wrapped about Thy redeemed ones, is lined with the soft miniver of Thy tender mercies. And this for me, Lord, so vile, so unworthy, so often ungrateful and forgetful! What can I say to Thee for this? 

     “In the morning.” When all around are sleeping, Lord, waken my heart with Thy tender call, uplift my spirit into true fellowship with Thee. Early hours with my God will sanctify all the day. In my quiet time with Thee, Father, so fill my soul with the sweet sounds of redeeming grace and pardoning love that, through all the succeeding hours, there may be melody within, and joy too deep and real to be disturbed or broken by any of earth’s jarring discords.

     “For in Thee do I trust.” Thou knowest this is true, Lord. My soul rests in Thee; it lies down on the sure promises of Thy Word, and hath sweet content. Yea, though this prayer, this desire of my heart to hear Thy voice, be not granted to-day, and Thou should’st be silent unto me for a while, it will be but Thy way of drawing me closer to Thee that, in tenderest whispers, Thou mayest tell me, ” I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”