Beautiful Word Devotional #214

“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

Daniel 10:19

Maybe it’s subtle to some, the difference between hearing and listening. Here’s one way to make the distinction: hearing is what happens when sound waves hit an eardrum; listening is what happens when the heart and mind are involved.

And we can find it hard to listen when we are fearful, annoyed, worried, hungry, preoccupied, stressed out, or trying to make a decision. We can also find it hard to listen when we are exhausted, as Daniel was.

When a man dressed in linen appeared to Daniel in a vision, the words he spoke renewed Daniel’s strength. And the God who sent that man to Daniel has given you and me words that can renew our strength. We find those words in Scripture.

Open your heart as you open its pages and find strength for today.

Lord, thank you for your Word that renews our strength and, with that, our ability to listen to your instructions and encouragement.