II. The Prayer to God (vs.4-6) Again we see the biblical model that: Praise Proceeds Prayer -- we see this in the Model Prayer: (Mat 6:9 NKJV) "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
A. God Hears (4a; 6a) This seems to be one of the most important truths that the enemy continues to sow seeds of doubt in our unbelieving minds. (God isn’t listening to your prayer)
1. The Seeking of Prayer -- “I sought the Lord’s help and He answered me”
The Psalmist basically says the same thing in verse 4 & 6 supporting the truth about Prayer. More importantly that the way we pray...is the WHO is listening.
However interesting - “I sought” dä·rash' -- a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search)
The N.T. equivalent -- (Luk 11:9-10 NKJV) "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Verbs (ask; seek, and knock) are all (Present Active Imperative - 2nd Person Plural) this is a continued action “pray without ceasing”
I.e. If you want to keep getting a paycheck you must keep going to work.
2. The Crying of Prayer -- “This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard” (NET)
Where as the Crying of prayer is more urgent -- Notice “This Poor man” better translated “This oppressed man” or “depressed man”
Oppression / Depression produces tears ANYTHING THAT LEADS ONE OF GOD’S KIDS TO TEARS IS NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD.
When one of your children is crying it immediately arrests all our attention.
How important are tears to God? (Psa 56:8-9 NKJV) You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; [Are they] not in Your book? When I cry out [to You], Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God [is] for me.
Cry out -- kä·rä' -- Cry out of help -- to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name,
I know it’s serious when whatever the request is begins with DAVVVVIIIIDDD!!!!!!!.
When I hear this...I don’t need details...I just come running.
HOW MUCH MORE WHEN WE CRY OUT…..JEEESSSUSSS!!!
(Rom 8:26 NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Joseph Prince said: Even a groan will reach the throne!!!!
3. The Hearing of Prayer -- Max Lucado ~ “The power prayer is not in the one who prays but in the one who hears it”
Just as interesting is the way God hears -- In this passage we have two approaches to prayer; there are also two responses.
(vs.4) Ä·nä' -- to answer, respond, testify,
(vs.6) shä·mah' -- to hear with attention or interest
How God hears is not the Point….but that He hears.
(1Jo 5:14-15 NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
B. God Helps (4b; 6b) So is God….Hearing only...NO! When He Hears...He immediately postures Himself to send forth Help. (Ps. 46:1) “God is our refuge and strength, a very present HELP in trouble”
1. The Help delivered... is from ALL my fears. (vs.4)
The Continual, daily disciple of prayer is the continual maintenance of prayer that keeps fear away.
Old quip: “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”
New quip: “a prayer a day keeps the fear away”
It’s the continual prayer that keeps us secure through an abiding relationship with the Father -- This relationship assures us of God’s love for us and as a result.
(1 John 4:18) “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts/drives out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love”
The majority of what people are facing today is the Fear of COVID
2. The Help saved...out of all his troubles (vs. 6)
Saved -- tsä·rä' -- straits, distress, trouble”
This is the prayer for those who actually contract COVID
Most Christians only resort to this type of prayer: The Crying out.
The flat tire approach to prayer...we only pray when we are in dire straights -- instead of the daily maintenance, check your tire pressure and rotation of your tires so that you are preventing flats in the first place.
(Job 5:19 NKJV) He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.
One is the “Tune up Prayer” the other is the “Tow Truck Prayer” the good news is that God Hears ALL of them and Delivers you from ALL your Fears and ALL your troubles.
C. God Holds (5) -- This is the promise for those who look to God for help -- I don’t know about you...but I’m 50 years old and I can still feel the comfort and security of my mothers Love when I ran to her with tears in my eyes with open arms she would hold me until the tears were gone.
Radiant -- The Hebrew says those who looked were lightened -- Song: “You light up my life”
Moses spent time with the Yaweh and when he came down from the mountain his face glowed. He had to put a veil over his face.
One never spends time with the Lord and is dull in appearance! The World can tell the difference!
In Christ Jesus -- The Veil is taken way and we are being transformed into the same image (of Jesus) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 2:13-18)
Not Ashamed -- shame comes from disappointment and failure -- Shame is the woman caught in adultery, shame is when you can’t lift your head...when you're constantly looking down.
(Heb 12:2 NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The word “shame” is the Greek word aischune,(is-khü'-na) which describes something that is base, ugly, revolting, and grotesque.
By using this word, the writer of Hebrews was telling us that Jesus’ experience on the Cross as He hung naked and broken in full view of the world was disgraceful, deplorable, despicable, and reprehensible.
Paintings and sculptures of the Crucifixion always portray Jesus with a towel wrapped around His waist, but this was simply not the case. Romans were not so kind as to cover the male anatomy — Jesus was stripped of all clothing and hung naked, beaten blood before the jeering crowd.
When you allow through Prayer and Fellowship with God through Jesus Christ...you will never be cast out. When you allow the lifter of your head to Hold you and wipe away your tears...to hear His Spirit Testify that you are His, your world will forever be changed.
Thus it is necessary to have that continually relationship with the Father through prayer not just the prayer when Tragedy strikes but abiding relationship with the Almighty. YOU WILL RADIATE WITH THE GLORY OF GOD!
(Rom 10:11 NKJV) For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
