Call out to the biggest rock you can find; it won’t respond. Pour out your heart to the most beautiful rock you’ve ever seen; it won’t budge. Fall on your knees, raise your hands, and offer your whole being to the most expensive rock money can buy; it won’t acknowledge your presence.
Why? Simple. Rocks are deaf, lifeless objects. Everybody knows that, right? But notice how David prayed in Psalm 28.
To you, O LORD, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary. (28:1-2)
The rock of David’s life wasn’t deaf to David, and the same Rock of Ages isn’t deaf to you today. In fact, this Rock continues to invite anyone and everyone to call out, pour out, lift your voice and offer your heart to him. That’s our opportunity today. To pray to the God who is. To sing to the Rock that hears. To read and rejoice in the words of the most stable, steadfast, faithful, immovable Being in the universe.
“Be not deaf to me…” What a powerful thing to pray! But listen to the reality acknowledged in Psalm 28. Why would we dare ask the Lord of heaven and earth to hear the voice of our pleas for mercy if we’re living as part of the crowd that remains willfully deaf to him? Who do we think we are if we expect him to listen to us while we insist on tuning him out? We won’t get away with it…
Because they do not regard the works of the LORD
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more. (28:5)
…but that doesn’t have to be our story. The Rock that hears is worthy of our worship today.
Blessed be the LORD!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him. (28:6-7)
He will hear us as we sing. He will incline his ear as we pray. As we humble ourselves and harmonize our hearts with him, his heart will be open and receptive to us.
So let’s hide ourselves in the Rock of Ages. Let’s root and ground our senses of purpose and satisfaction in his revealed will. Let’s build our lives upon the Rock that hears, and come what may this week, we’ll be able to rest in this promise…
The LORD is the strength of his people…
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. (28:8-9)