The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’ (Psalm 29: 3-9)

To truly and fully hear God is to be in awe - sometimes in fear - it may nearly overwhelm us. But when we ask, God will answer.

As with any honest dialogue we may be surprised by the answer. We may argue. Scripture suggests that God is ready to listen to argument.

If we are not just listening, but fully hearing then we will hear much that is wonderful and wise. We will also hear much that is true, but which we would prefer to ignore. In any case, we can be sure that we will be fully heard and just that can be healing and helpful.

Even - perhaps especially - in silence there is often a response, if we are ready to hear.

God is not so difficult to hear. My challenge is accepting and doing what I have heard.

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rock in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ (1 Kings 19: 11-13)