It doesn’t really matter what business you call these days; you are likely to engage with some form of a “phone answering” system. We all hate them, and if you are like me, you may occasionally resort to screaming at the phone, “customer service!”

Sometimes, we desperately want someone to get on the line. My “favorite” recording says, “this call may be recorded for quality assurance.” The key thought is that someone MAY be listening. No guarantees.

On the other hand, listening in on conversations might be very offensive. I am guessing that programs will soon be available to monitor the conversations of others through their phones. Imagine listening in on every conversation your teenagers have? Or monitoring the words of your employees? Or eavesdropping on a spouse.

Truth is that the value of such information will entirely depend on the character and intent of the “listener.”

There is an amazing “listener” introduced in the Psalms. Consider the words of Psalm 139: “You have searched me Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise…You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you Lord know it completely.”

Our heavenly Father is listening.

The almighty Creator of the universe is intent on knowing my thoughts. He is aware of my actions, and He is very familiar with all the nuances of my life. And He uses all that information for my good.

Like David, we can all declare, “… your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

So, the next time a recording implies that someone is paying attention to you, stop and grin a bit. Remind yourself that He is.

 “How precious to me are your thoughts, God. How vast is the sum of them!”