Psalm 40:1-3 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
Yesterday we talked about the need for repentance and the fact that God grants
us the desire and ability to repent. When I was young, my mother would tell me
to sit and think about what I had done. Those moments were the most miserable
times, but it gave me time to realize I was wrong and needed to apologize and
try to do better. In today's passages, we see David had repented and now
he was waiting for the joy of the Lord to return. "I waited
patiently." Now, just how hard is that to do? But it is in those
waiting times, that we are to think back on the goodness of God that leads us
to repentance. During that time, David was still talking to the Lord and in
turn, "... He inclined unto me and heard my cry." Aren't you thankful
that we serve the only True and LIVING God? He hears us when we pray. He
listens when we pray. He answers when we pray. You see, it is a much different
matter between hearing and listening. The art of listening is quickly becoming
a lost art, but God is the Master of listening. He not only hears what our
words are saying, but He also listens to what our hearts are saying. He heard
the heart of David and "... inclined unto (him)..." That tells me
that our Lord gave David His completely undivided attention. And He does the
very same thing for us when we cry unto Him. It is at that very moment that we
find ourselves at the very throne of grace. It is there where we can find mercy
and grace to help in our time of need. I want to go on this morning to verses
two and three, but instead I want each of us to think about this beautiful
moment when God hears, inclines, listens, and answers our prayers.
Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
Sweet hour of prayer
The joys I feel, the bliss I share
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for Thy return
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face
And gladly take my station there
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer