I have hearing issues, and it isn’t easy to understand everything some folks say. Add some background noise, and it’s worse. Perhaps it’s all the years in a computer room, or, who knows, maybe it’s genetic. But let the sounds you do hear be something in the night, then it’s weird and scary at the same time. I’ve come to realize it’s familiar noises but hearing it unexpectedly. That’s weird. Sometimes a little spooky. Creepy. Sometimes these sounds wake you from a dead sleep into a panicked moment. What to do, what to do, what do we do?
Can sounds produce Panic? Sometimes. Think the worst? Most of the time. Pray? Every single time!
We have nine dogs sleeping on the porch. Yes. Our three grown dogs and six remaining puppies (two are ours, three belong to new owners who will get them later in the month, and only one is looking for a forever home. #3). Hint. Hint. When they have bones, rocks, sticks, and toys to focus on, you have to remember they are on a wooden porch. All those animals can make weird sounds in the night, especially when they catch you ill-prepared to hear them!
On the one hand, some sounds are like strange dreams. Our mind is processing raw data, relocating, and cross-connecting the pieces. Noises and sounds can wreck the whole process. Or, they can add excitement to it!
On the other hand, we hear these noises all the time. A neighbor fires a gun. No big deal. A single shot? Possibly a coyote invading their space. Hear the same thing in the city? We stress and duck quickly.
Of course, the night sounds are weird when the Coyotes come near. Everything else gets almost deathly quiet. Listen to my recording on my YouTube channel. My bride and I walked back to the corner of our 5 acres about 10 pm… Hmmm…
Listening For The Sounds
As this world gets more and more strained and strange, I find I’m listening for sounds that hint at the future.
A trumpet sound? Maybe. (1 Corinthians 15:52) Prayers (1 Timothy 2:1) and Worship (1 Samuel 15:30-31)? Definitely. The noise of this world better not mess around with my right to pray and worship! It did not prevent Daniel or the Three Hebrew Lads! The rattling of sabers did not stop Jesus from praying in the Upper Room (John 17) or the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26). When challenged by the religious authorities and Pilate, he spoke little, but he said enlightening words. Even as he was dying on the cross, his words challenged us through the years to be more like him.
The scary sounds coming from these strained times should not interfere with my preaching and teaching His Word! All of this should be done instantly and in season! (Emphasis mine.)
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
(2 Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV)
What sounds are you listening for? I’m listening for the sounds of a healthy church!
Sounds Of The Times: What do you hear, and what is it portending of the times we are living in? Click To TweetWorking Prepared To Fight
It was during stressful times, and Israel was rebuilding Jerusalem. Ezra. Nehemia. Familiar books to those who have read of the times. But it was also a difficult time. Ready to work, but also needing to be prepared to fight.
Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
(Nehemiah 4:18-20 NKJV)
Notice. The trumpet player stayed close to Nehemiah. The Workers were Working and prepared to fight at the same time. Only, they needed to be called to battle by the Sound of the Trumpet. Amid our working for Jesus, we need to be prepared to do battle. It’s not in a physical sense but a spiritual battleground. Listen… Do you hear the Trumpet?
