Cause me to hear Thy voice

Song of Solomon 8:13

Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

Here the Shulamite is speaking to Solomon, the man with a great vineyard at Baal-hamon, wherein was fruit worth a thousand pieces of silver a piece. He was one to “dwell in the gardens.” And she had her own garden also. But in this beautiful statement, she comments on the fact that the workers in the gardens-the husbandmen hired to tend to his plot-all stopped every day their work, and ceased all activity to listen to Solomon when he spoke. They would halt their daily tasks to hearken to his voice. They paused from all work, and gave their attention to his words. And this beautiful bride says to him, “Just as the companions hearken to your voice, cause me to hear it also.” I want a glimpse of that deep and comforting voice. I want the privilege of sitting and listening to your lovely tones of love and encouragement. This is what the Shulamite desired. Cause me to hear it!

Is it not the same for every Christian? Should we not desire to simply listen to the voice of the bridegroom? The still small voice of our Savior, who speaks through the din and commotion of this cacophonous world? “Cause us to hear it!” we should say. Give us a glimpse of your voice! We long for it! We don’t want to hear the companions. We want to hear Thee! We want to hear just a word or two from our beloved. For when He speaks, not a word is wasted; not an idle word is spoken. It is for our comfort and strength. It is for our learning and instruction. It is for our correction and enrichment. It is for our encouragement and edification. His words give us strength to accomplish the tasks of the day. His voice gives us life to complete our assignments. And His voice is the greatest source of comfort, the most vital fountain of consolation anywhere found in this world. Listen to it! Let us hear when He speaks!

Dear friend, are you listening to Him today? Have you taken a moment to pause from your work, to cease from your activities, in order to listen to His wonderful voice? The Word of God is His voice for us. Don’t neglect it. Do not set it aside. For there is nothing more valuable than His voice. His voice may be quiet. It may be a small voice. But in moments of calm and serene stillness as we listen to Him, He will be able to speak. Sometimes in prayer, He will silently speak to our hearts, comforting, correcting, guiding. Listen carefully. Don’t miss it! Ask Him to speak! Come to the garden alone today with the Lord, and take the time to listen to His voice.

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Tho’ the night around me be falling;

But He bids me go; thro’ the voice of woe,

His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

By Austin Miles

“Father, today we desire to hear your voice more than any other sound, noise, or clamor. We want to be still, to be quiet, to be awake to the sound of your voice. Help us to rise out of our sleep and listen. Oh, may we take a moment away from the rustle of the world’s events and listen to our dear Savior speak to us! Cause us to hear Thy voice today, for we are listening! Speak through Thy Holy Spirit who lives in us, and may His voice reveal the Son to us. We want to hear you today and none other. Cause us to hear Thy sweet and loving voice. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.”