Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

It strikes me that David’s Psalms are often conversational, with general statements, like the first two verses, then words addressed to God, like verses three through this one, then God’s response, in verses eight and nine, and then statements to the reader, like the last three verses. I don’t think many people talk like that! However, it shows an awareness that God is listening to what we say, and He responds to us. Far too often we don’t expect a response at all! God really does talk to us, but most of the time we aren’t listening. David has a lot of things to teach us, and I think this is one of the most important of those. We need to speak freely to God, certainly, but we should expect to hear from Him as well. After all, Paul admonished us to “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1) God doesn’t often speak to us in what seems like an audible voice, but if we will surrender our lips and our fingers to Him, He will speak through and to us to a degree that can be shocking at times.

The first time I heard God speak to me in what seemed like an audible voice, He told me to shut up, because I was so busy talking to Him that I couldn’t hear what He was saying. However, I have heard Him use my mouth, or seen Him use my fingers, to express His heart countless times. It occurs to me that I should more consciously allow Him to do that, particularly in times of group prayer. I have been used in prophecy many times, but very seldom here in this church. I seek to preach prophetically, but we often need to hear more personally, and I should make myself available for that. Frankly, I’ve been afraid of people’s reactions, but that shows my focus has been on me, rather than on the Lord. There are those in this church who are from a distinctly non-Pentecostal background, and I fear offending them. I need to repent of that! I am to continue to speak to God freely, and at the same time not only listen for what He might say to me, but also allow Him to speak through me, to whomever He wants to speak, for their blessing and His glory.

Father, thank You for this clear Word, particularly as tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday. May we become a body of believers who are totally sold out and available to You, for You to speak through and use however You like, for the advancement of Your kingdom and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!