Historian
Cassius Dio recorded a revealing event from the life of Hadrian, the Roman
Emperor from ad 117-138: “Once, when a woman made a request of [Hadrian] as he
passed by on a journey, he at first said to her, ‘I haven’t time,’ but
afterwards, when she cried out, ‘Cease, then, being emperor,’ he turned about
and granted her a hearing.”
How often
we say or hear, “Not now, I’m busy” or “I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time.”
Yet, our heavenly Father, the Master and Creator of everything, always has time
for us. The psalmist wrote: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His
ears are open to their cry. . . . The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Ps. 34:15-17).
God is
not like the emperor or a busy executive who tries to avoid interruption.
Instead, the Father’s joy is to listen and respond to His children. “The Lord
is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite
spirit” (v.18).
Hadrian’s afterthought was, “I must take time for my subjects.” God’s first thought is, “I always have time for those who come to Me.” Whenever we need to talk, the Lord is ready to listen.
