Wait, Watch & Listen

Spring rains soften the ground and help produce fertile feeding areas for robins.  I love to watch these birds as they hop around a yard, cocking their heads to peer at the grass.  God has made robins with exceptional vision and a keen sense of hearing.  Scientists have discovered that robins use both of these senses in their hunt for worms.
 
As worms move just below the surface of the ground they make small changes in the soil and grass. Robins can see this.  When we observe robins cocking their head to one side they are using their monocular vision (each eye can operate independently) and turning one eye to look more closely at the movement of the ground.  In addition, worms moving through the ground cause small particles of soil to rub together.  Robins can actually hear the noise!  Worms are important for robins to eat as they help develop strong muscles and feathers.  A web site called "TheSpruce.com" says that the American Robin may eat up to 14' of earthworms in a single day.  Don't you love how God made these creatures perfectly to find exactly what they need?
 
Contemplating this thought, I realize that God also made us perfectly in order to find exactly what we need--more of Him!  Like the robin, we must use the senses that God has placed within us, being willing to wait, watch and listen.  The ability to watch and listen for the Lord is cultivated as we practice and our sensitivity to Him increases.  It is the Lord who will enlarge our spiritual capacity as we wait upon Him.   "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  (Psalm 27:14)
 
Jesus quoted Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3) to Satan in the wilderness.  He said, "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)  Indeed, it is spiritual food that we desperately need and that feeds us.  Our senses must be tuned to a spiritual wave length in order to engage with the Lord.  God alone can and will satisfy us.  "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time." (Psalm 145:15)
 
The prophet Isaiah instructs, "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord:  Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn." (Isaiah 51:1)  The Psalmist tells us, "...Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  Come my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." (Psalm 34:10-11)  The book of Proverbs has several verses instructing us to wait on, watch for and listen to the Lord.  My favorite one comes from Proverbs 8:34-35.  Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching at my doors, waiting at my doorway.  For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord."
 
The Lord desires to feed us; He has promised to do so.  "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame..." (Isaiah 58:11)  John the disciple explains how Jesus told the Jews that His own body would be living bread for us to eat.  "For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him...The one who feeds on me will live because of me.  (John 6:55-57)
 
We are made by God to have communion with Him.  Everything we need to pursue and find Him is in place.  Now we must be intentional in waiting, watching and listening so that He will come and feed us and draw us into a more intimate place with Him.