Finding God’s Presence ~ When Morningsong Broke Through the Silence

Watching and listening to the morningsong, I learned something about the heavenly hosts.

I woke early this morning. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I wandered to the couch, sat curled up on the end, and enjoyed a gentle refreshing breeze coming through the open window.

The light of dawn broke through the dark of night.

Morningsong broke through the silence.

Birds.

A delight of my heart.

None were visible, but all were heard.

Their voices rose in a chorus of praise, a celebration of the new day. Trills. Chirping. A melody riding along the wave of birdsong coming from the lush greens of the apple tree.

I thought about Hebrews 12:1-3 —

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. AMP

Because I could hear the birdsong, but not see the birds, I thought about the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us — the unseen heavenly hosts.

And I smiled.

I smiled because I could imagine them cheering me on — rooting for me during the fiercest battle of my life. In my spirit I could hear them bolstering me with praise to remind me of the One who loves me and encouraging me to remain steadfast.

Isn’t that a glorious thought?

Elijah experienced this. He and his servant were staying in Dothan. The king of Syria was making war against Israel and learned that Elijah was in Dothan. The king and his army came by night and surrounded the city. When Elijah’s servant arose the next morning and went out, he saw the horses and chariots, and cried out to Elijah, “Master! What shall we do?” And Elijah answered him saying, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And then Elijah prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” ~ 2 Kings 6:17

Or what about the shepherds tending their sheep the night Jesus was born? An Angel of the Lord appeared to them to tell them the Messiah had come.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host singing praises to God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” ~ Luke 2:14

Oh! That we might see and hear the faithfulness of God. That we might be aware of the heavenly hosts that surround us to cheer us on in our race.

As I continued to sit by the window, watching and listening to the morningsong, I noticed some movement. A solitary finch hopped away from the choir and began to belt out his song from the end of the branch. A soloist!

Like Elijah and his servant, and like the shepherds in the field who witnessed their heavenly hosts, God opened a window of heaven, and gave me a glimpse of the tiny canter singing praise — just for me.

Oh Lord, open our eyes that we might see a glimpse of the heavenly hosts you have given charge over us. Open our ears that we might hear their cheers of encouragement to not give up, to cross the finish line in victory.

And help us keep our eyes on You while we run, while we make our strides in rhythm to the cheers of the heavenly hosts.

Moments later, the finch dove back into the thick of leaves and branches to join the chorus — the choir I couldn’t see, but I certainly could hear.

The morningsong continued until the sun had successfully overcome the mountain ridge and stood stately in the eastern sky.

I suppose the cheers from our cloud of witnesses — His heavenly hosts — will do the same. They will steadfastly cheer us on until we successfully step across the threshold of eternity and stand before the Lord our God.

Selah

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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.

Sweet blessings to you,

NAN