“All of us have a soft spot, and that is often where God speaks to us.”- Mark Batterson
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”- Romans 2:4 (ESV)
In Chapter 2 (“The Voice”) of Whisper, Mark Batterson pointedly asks when the last time was you thanked God for keeping the earth in orbit. Pastor Batterson guesses that your answer is never. Why? Because God’s so good at what He does that we take it for granted. In contrast, Mark stresses, we daily experience a miracle of astronomic proportions.
Therefore, to fully appreciated the power of God’s voice, we turn to the four words God spoke in Genesis 1:3 – “Let there be light.” In other words, God created the universe with His voice. Consequently, there’s nothing God’s voice cannot say or do.
However, God’s all-powerful voice is only half the story. For God’s also all-loving. Yet, Pastor Batterson asserts, one reason we turn a deaf ear to God lies in our fear of what He’s going to say. Thus, we need to know His heart toward us. As Song of Songs 5:16 states, “His mouth is sweetness itself.”
According to rabbinic tradition, Mark notes, God used His outside voice when He spoke to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. As a result, the fearful Israelites felt as if their souls had left them. So God responded with sweet and soft words. And their souls returned.
Similarly, as Romans 2:4 tells us, God shows kindness when He wants us to repent. He doesn’t threaten, nag, or yell at us.
In conclusion, as Pastor Batterson exhorts, “when you love someone, you love the sound of his or her voice. And you long to hear it. A relationship with God is no different.”
Today’s question: What soft spot does god use to speak to you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The hammer of a higher God”
