“THE LORD SHALL REGARD THE PRAYER…”

Psalm 102 is the prayer of someone who is crushed under the weight of problems, and is crying out to God for help. In the mist of the anguish being poured out, there is a gem of an insight, that should bring comfort and courage, to all who need the reassurance from God. 

Let us read three verses from Psalm 102, for a better insight into the trouble being faced, and the inspiring insight, that should lift the spirits of all who are going through struggles and storms. First the anguish.
– “​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, And let my cry come to You. 2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily.”

Now, the source of our strength as a Christian, and the Anchor of all who are burdened and crushed, under the weight of problems. 
– “17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.” – Psalm 102:1-2,17

How comforting it is to know that, the LORD God Almighty, the God to whom nothing is impossible, and the One who is the Alfa, and the Omega, will listen to our heart’s cry. The definiteness, and the certainty of this promise, is so comforting and inspiring.
– “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute.”
– “And shall not despise their prayer.”

What more does one need than the assurance that, God shall regard the prayer of the destitute; and that, He shall not despise their prayer? God will hear our prayers, and will not despise us. God shall consider our cries favourably. He will not reject or refuse us, and our cries for help.

Should this not encourage us to seek the LORD even more? Does this not inspire us to pour out our hearts, and all what is troubling us, before Him? The written Word of God tells me that, “He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8. Let us read a few more verses about God’s heart towards all who cry out to Him in prayer.
– ‘2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” – Jeremiah 33:2-3
– “14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
– “15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” – Psalm 34:15-22

Let us be encouraged this morning, even if we are burdened by the weight of all that is crushing us. Let us trust God, and learn to lean upon Him. Let us place our faith in Him, who promised us, to be our strength in our troubles, and the solution for all our problems. Let us remember always that, the One who promised us is, faithful and true. He will always honour His word. So let us not worry, but seek Him in prayer. Even so, the LORD help us.