嬰兒的哭聲可說是一種信號，表示他累了或餓了，不是嗎？根據美國布朗大學醫療團隊的研究顯示，新生兒哭聲的細微差異，也能顯示出身體的其他問題。這個醫療團隊設計了一個電腦程式，可以測量嬰兒哭聲的音高、音量，以及清晰度等因素，以確定嬰兒的中樞神經系統是否有些異常。

先知以賽亞預言，上帝必聽見祂子民的哭泣和真切的呼求，瞭解他們內心的懇切，並以恩典回應他們。然而，猶大百姓漠視上帝藉著先知以賽亞發出的警告，寧願與埃及結盟以獲得幫助，也不願求問上帝（以賽亞書30章1-7節）。上帝告訴祂的子民，如果他們選擇繼續悖逆，祂將使他們慘遭失敗和羞辱。即便如此，上帝仍渴望「施恩給[他]們；⋯⋯憐憫[他]們」（18節）。但唯有在他們悔改、憑信心呼求時，上帝的拯救才會臨到他們。如果上帝的子民向祂呼求，祂必赦免他們的罪，並且使他們的心靈重新得力（8-26節）。

對於今天的基督徒來說，也是同樣的道理。當我們真切地悔改、憑信心向天父呼求，你我的聲音就會傳到天父的耳中，祂必聆聽你我的哀求，並且赦免我們，使我們在祂裡面重得喜樂和盼望。

When a baby cries, it’s a signal that the child is tired or hungry, right? Well, according to doctors at Brown University, subtle differences in a newborn’s cries can also provide important clues for other problems. Doctors have devised a computer program that measures cry factors like pitch, volume, and how clear the cry sound is to determine if something’s wrong with the baby’s central nervous system.

Isaiah prophesied that God would hear the distinct cries of His people, determine their hearts’ condition, and respond with grace. Judah, rather than consulting God, had ignored His prophet and sought help in an alliance with Egypt (Isaiah 30:1–7). God told them that if they chose to continue in their rebellion, He’d bring about their defeat and humiliation. However, He also longed “to be gracious to [them]; . . . to show [them] compassion” (v. 18). Rescue would come, but only through their cries of repentance and faith. If God’s people did cry out to Him, He would forgive their sins and renew their spiritual strength and vitality (vv. 8–26).  

The same holds true for believers in Jesus today. When our distinct cries of repentance and trust reach the ears of our heavenly Father, He hears them, forgives us, and renews our joy and hope in Him.