Prayer to align our lives with God’s voice
Written by Sophia Bricker
Bible reading:
“The king answered harshly to his people, rejecting the advice of the elders and following the advice of the young men, saying, “My father has made your yoke heavy, and I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with rods, but I will scour you with scorpions.” – 1 Kings 12:13-14, NIV
Listen or read below:
As we entered the Performing Arts Theater, we could already hear the sounds of musicians preparing for the show. The mixture of sounds as they tuned their instruments created an orchestra of sorts. The warm flow of the violin, the low notes of the cello, the ups and downs of the clarinet and flute, and the occasional sound of the tuba. Having worked in the theater for many years, I was used to noise and found it comforting. Most musicians were able to tune by ear and recognize when a note went off course. This skill was acquired through years of diligent practice and careful attention to the sound of a properly tuned instrument. When they finally played, the sounds weaved together into a pleasant, harmonious mixture.
Not everyone is trained to recognize when they need to tune their instrument. In my experience, when tuning a guitar, I had to rely on an external source of information, a small electronic device that read the sound of the strings and told me whether to tighten or loosen them. Slowly, with each little rotation, my guitar started making the sounds it was designed to play, like a theater instrument.
Sometimes in life we tune into the wrong notes. The world tries to sell us stories and ideas that may sound right to our untrained ears, but fall short when compared to the Bible. We are told that in order to be happy, we must pursue wealth and fame, accumulate goods, and possess all the things that society claims constitutes a good life. Or the world spins a negative narrative and makes us believe that everything is meaningless. Therefore, we must create meaning for ourselves or accept despair. When we adjust our lives to the world’s messages, we find ourselves playing all the wrong notes and increasing dissonance.
Rehoboam was the epitome of someone who listened to the wrong voices in directing his life. Instead of listening to the advice of the elders in his court, he chose to listen to his friends, who had grown up with him and shared similar life experiences (1 Kings 12:6-11). Wisdom was discarded when he chose his favorite path, against the advice of more knowledgeable people. As a result, he lost most of his kingdom (1 Kings 12:16-17). The saying is true: “The ways of fools seem right to them, but the wise listen to counsel” (Proverbs 12:15, NIV).
Following the patterns set by the world will ultimately lead to heartache. The Bible teaches that we need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We have to stop hearing the wrong stories, voices and notes. Just as the electronic tuner we use on our guitars helps us tune into tune, so too do we need to tune our lives to God’s voice. It’s about hearing what God says about the world in His Word and what it means to walk as a people of hope.
We can develop a trained ear by making a habit of reading the Bible and prayerfully allowing the Word to shape us. And as you read the Bible, you can keep it in your heart and mind by memorizing it or meditating on it. And the Holy Spirit guides us as we move forward in the work of transformation by reminding us of the scriptures and molding us into who we are meant to be. As we submit to the Lord’s work, we will find ourselves producing sweet music through our lives in honor of the Lord.
Let’s pray:
Lord, the world has so many messages it wants me to believe. Sometimes the noise can be overwhelming and you notice the disharmony in your life. Turn me away from the way of Rehoboam. I want to seek wisdom and listen to your voice instead of the loud voices that tickle my ears.
Holy Spirit, renew my mind so that I can understand and obey God’s will. And lead me to the knowledge of Your Word and teach me to cherish it. Then I can be more shaped by your great stories than the stories the world tries to sell me. May my life be a symphony of praise to the Lord who saved me. I praise you, Holy God, for giving me a new song.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Tatiana
Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotions, and stories. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Christian Ministry, which included extensive study in the Bible and theology, as well as a master’s degree in creative writing. You can read her thoughts on literature and faith below. cross, pen, and page Visit Substack or Disciple-based Sites cultivatewhere she writes with her sister.
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