He, the only true and living God, amazes me.

His creation amazes me. The ocean amazes me. The white sand amazes me. The power of the waves amazes me. The continuous action of the waves-the rising and falling and coming and going-amazes me. The power of the wind amazes me. The brilliant blue sky amazes me. The creatures that live in the water amaze me.

The changing seasons amaze me. The quietness, the serenity, and the calmness of falling snow amaze me (even if it's just a dusting). The brilliant colors of autumn amaze me. The new life that appears in the spring amazes me.

His love amazes me. From the beginning of creation He has demonstrated His love to His people continuously. Leading. Protecting. Teaching. Providing. Blessing.

His compassion amazes me. He has never stopped reaching toward us and trying to draw us near to Him. He sent prophets. He sent spiritual leaders. He sent His only Son. He gave us His Word. He gave us His Spirit. He longs to live in us, comfort us, and give us life everlasting. The Lord God almighty amazes me.

Yet, nothing amazes me more than His willingness to hear us, His ability to hear us, and His response to us when we pray.

He has heard every prayer of desperation from the people of Haiti. He hears the prayer of every child who is alone and afraid. He hears the prayer of every man searching for his wife and his children. He hears the prayer of every woman searching for her husband and children. He hears the prayer of every doctor and every nurse as they ask for strength to help just one more person. He hears the prayer of every person around the world struggling with feelings of complete helplessness.

He hears the pain in every heart when the word "cancer" is included in a medical diagnosis.

He hears the sorrow of every family as they walk away from the graveside of their loved one.

He hears the desperate plea of every parent when they lay their head on their pillow every night as they ask for protection for their son or their daughter.

He hears the cry of every little boy and every little when they hear the word "divorce" coming from the mouth of their parents.

He hears the heart of every church leader when they ask for wisdom to lead the souls under their care.

He hears the unspoken words of every struggler when they fall down before Him desperately seeking...something.

He hears every prayer that is prayed. He hears every word that is spoken. He hears every cry. He hears every expression of joy. He hears every call for help. He hears it all. He never becomes weary. He never needs a break. He never takes a vacation. He never gets tired of listening. He never refuses to help. He never ignores. He never feels inconvenienced.

He is God. He amazes me.

Blessed is the man
 who makes the LORD his trust,
 who does not look to the proud,
 to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God,
 are the wonders you have done.
 The things you planned for us
 no one can recount to you;
 were I to speak and tell of them,
 they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:4-5, NIV)

© Copyright 2010 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.