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Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (ESV)
Being still is not easy; in fact, it is more difficult now than ever before. We have become technology gluttons, bombarded with a cacophony of smart phones, computers, tablets, iPads, radio, and television. From sun-up to sun-down, the sights and sounds never stop. As we move through our day, we must take some time to unplug — literally — from the world!
Some people stay plugged-in to run from reality. As long as their minds are filled with these noisy distractions, they don't have to think about or evaluate their decisions in life, their relationships with others, or their relationship (or lack thereof) with the Creator.
For others, staying plugged-in is a habit; they can't think, work, or play without background sounds. Many need such noise to lull them to sleep.
On a recent bicycle ride, I came up behind a speed walker wearing earplugs. The pathway was narrow. To let her know that I was coming, I called out, "Good morning!" No reply. I called out again, a bit louder, "Good morning! Can you hear me?" No reply. "Hello, behind you!" I called out again as my bike inched closer. Again, nothing. Slowing down to manoeuvre safely around her, I tried again, "Hello! Good morning." She never looked up or acknowledged that I was there.
I imagine that God calls out to us above the clamour saying, "Hello! Can you hear me now?" When there's a steady stream of noise in our lives and we're always plugged-in, we are allowing the world to mould our minds and determine our thoughts, which makes cultivating a deeper relationship with God more difficult. The Holy Spirit can certainly penetrate the constant din — and one way or another, if He wants to get our attention, He will get through. However, by allowing stillness in our lives — to think about God and permit our souls to marinate in His Word as we work and play — God will speak to us in new ways, and we will hear Him — maybe for the first time!
Philippians 4:8-9 – Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (NIV)
Prayer: Dear God, help us to unplug from the noise and distractions in our lives — to be still — so that we can hear You, obey You, and use our talents to serve You more effectively. Amen.
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Monday, March 17, 2025 – In Asia — Way up in the hills are about 70,000 villagers of a particular people group. Many have already heard the gospel, and believed. A team of local Christians, have developed an audio-driven overview of the Bible to help the new, untrained believing locals to understand the gospel more clearly and give them resources to share with villagers who have not yet heard. Pray for God to bring a revival to this people group and to deepen their relationships with God.
daughter: "Update March 15, 2025: Our daughter is very ill at this time with a severe cough. Please continue..." 
This is the end of an era! RM: "I would like to share my thanks for all the hard work done and time spent by Robin and the team..." 
End of era: "Pray for Robin Ross and for the Presby Daily Devotional. Pray God's will be done in all..." 
Absoluitely!!
Good one, thank you.
So true, thank you! God bless!
So much truth in your words, Sarah.
Thank you. A very thoughtful. helpful devotional.
How very appropriate Sarah…for ALL of us. Thank you.
(Texas)
That is so beautifully put! Thank you for sharing. I’m going to forward this to a few people.
Thank you, Sarah, I agree. My house is often quiet, something my friends don’t understand as they have music or tv on constantly.
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this experience with us in a devotional. May we always be attentive to the voice of the Lord! Blessings.
Very nice devotional today! Clear, concise, and meaningful, thanks for writing and hope there will be many more in the future.
Sarah what an effective reflection of our daily lives. It is sermon material for sure. What a glorious way to start my morning! I truly believe God could hear you.
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your devotional – this important truth, which you illustrated and developed so well.
God bless and keep you!
(BC)
We certainly are a distracted people! Thanks for writing this devotion today. I pray that many people will hear its message. My morning devotion time is my time to be still with God, usually before my husband gets up, so really a quiet time alone with God. What better way to start the day! Blessings and have a happy Family Day weekend,
Amen to that! It is so much easier to connect with the tangible, visible, than the spiritual, invisible! To watch the news instead of reading the Bible! Seeking God is “work”. A lot of folks can’t get past that. It is easier for me to strip the paint off a door than to see what needs stripping from my life so I can be more like Him.
I have begun thanking people for NOT being plugged in when I say good morning to them. Your lovely devotional today made one begin in my head about how I’ve been seeing this persist ant willing deafness to others that the world is throwing up at us. Grateful for your understanding.
Thank you for the devotional you wrote today. It is only too true that we need to make time to listen to God’s voice. It is so easy to get caught up in the din that surrounds us! Hearing from God can expand our peace and take away anxiety.
Good word for the times we are living in. Thank you.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your devotional this morning, it is amazing how people don’t hear or don’t listen especially when it comes to listening to the call of Jesus.
I enjoyed your devotional very much.
Dear Sarah,
The Holy Spirit can certainly penetrate the constant din – and one way or another, if He wants to get our attention, He will get through. However, by allowing stillness in our lives – to think about God and permit our souls to marinate in His Word as we work and play – God will speak to us in new ways, and we will hear Him – maybe for the first time!
“Marinate” in God’s Word– Now that IS penetrating.
Thank you.
Hello Sarah,
What a fitting devotional of how things are in our world these days with almost everyone clicked in to some mobile device for lengthy times throughout the day. Taking time to be still and listen to God’s voice should be our more important priority.
Thank you for your meaningful writing.
Blessings,
(Ecuador)
Dear Sarah,
Today my heart was heavy as I was pondering those I love.
I would like to share your Devotion “Can You Hear Me Now?” with others.
You said it perfectly – and I pray it will ring true in many ears, while they still have breath, how nothing compares to Christ.
I hope to see more of what you write. You have blessed me. Thank you.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your wonderful devotional. As soon as I read the section about “marinating” I received the most delightful image in my mind of Jesus standing in His light coloured robe under a waterfall with His arms raised up. At the top of the waterfall was the open Bible and the waterfall was the words of the Bible cascading down over Jesus into a beautiful pool of water and the words of God.
I am going to carry that image with me today and I hope for many days.
Good morning Sarah. Thank you for this message and reminder. I can so relate to your devotional.
I live in Canada where winter can be brutal, but February is inching on, so my regular walks will start again in the coming days. I live in the country. My favourite time to talk to and listen for the Lord is when I am out walking in nature, no noise except the wildlife and the odd bubbling stream. I love to pray out loud and stop and listen.
My second favourite time to talk with the Lord is while driving in my car alone. I shut the stereo off and we chat. Often for the duration of my travel.
God bless you richly.
Good Morning Sarah,
I really enjoyed reading your devotional.
I appreciate what you have said and this is how I have always felt as I watch people walk along with ears plugged. I cannot handle all the plugged noise. How can you appreciate the sounds of nature.
Thanks again for writing this.
Thanks for the message. I’m one who has a radio on most of the time.
Because I live alone, it’s my companion. When my hubby was alive, we shared everything. I treasure the memories. I appreciate the devotions such as yours because it suggests to me that perhaps I need to evaluate my time. Shalom.