David cried out to God in Psalm 4, “…answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 2 O men,[a] how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah. 3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry,[b] and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
All of us, on any given day, find ourselves crying out to God for help and relief. Whether we have a loved one who is sick, or a policeman drives by when we are driving over the speed limit, we find ourselves crying out to God for assistance and aide. How can we know that God hears us when we call?
David gives us an answer to that question in Psalm 4, and the New Testament bears witness to his conclusion. After calling out for an answer from the God of righteousness, David says in Psalm 3:3 that “…the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself, and hears when we call Him.” God listens to, or hears, the Godly, those who trust in Him. David says in Psalm 5:4, “…for you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. 5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6 You destroy those who speak lies and the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”
So how do we earn the ear of a Holy God? The reality is that we can’t, but Christ has! It says in Hebrews 4:14, “…Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
By grace through faith, Christ has earned your ear with the Father, and if you have trusted in Him, you can know your prayers will one heard and answered.
Praise God for the work of Christ!
Brad Bird
