For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee. Isa 30:19

In the busyness of society, the abundance of activity, where people are always on the go, does anyone truly listen anymore? Are there conversations where people connect on matters of the heart? Too often in conversations one’s attention drifts to thoughts of “what do they want?” or form an action plan of “what should I do?” rather than press beyond the internal noise that stirs with us all, to be fully present, listen and understand. All around us, people are crying out, but who is listening? The scripture passage reminds us that God is listening, and He hears the cries of His children. The passage gives the assurance that He is sympathetic “at the voice of thy cry” and He is not slack nor delayed to respond. “When He shall hear it, He will answer thee.” God is always near and promises to “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13: 5). When the bread of adversity or the water of affliction press mightily upon you, hear the voice of God speak through the present sorrow to remind you that “He will be very gracious unto thee.” He may speak to you by the friendship of another Christian who senses your pain. He may come to you by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that you may “call to remembrance my song in the night” (Ps 77:6). My friend, God has not forgotten to be gracious to you. His words are tender and gracious to call to us and comfort our hearts in those moments when we need Him most. “The Lord will hear when I call unto Him” (Ps 4:3) and He bids all to “call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jer 33:3). Father, thank You that You hear our cries. Quiet the noise of my heart that I may hear from You and find rest in You. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.