God Promises to Listen to You

Psalms 116:1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
 
TAKE a moment to read the psalm’s 19 verses. What do you hear? Is it the sound, perhaps, of God hearing your faith?  
   Listen to God’s voice and know he is listening to you. He heard my cry for mercy. He turned his ear to me. He hears you and frees you from v 3 the cords of death and overwhelming trouble and sorrow. The LORD then directs you to v 4 call on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!” In his holiness, the Father hears your plea and turns your heart from despair. V 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
   Even more, you are safe in your salvation. V 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Fear of the world is gone. In God’s gospel you can speak your needs and confession to v 7 be at rest once more. When the Spirit responds, your innermost thoughts will confess your confident faith. “O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” This is God’s eternal goodness to save you. V 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
   God has saved you into heaven’s beauty and peace. No longer will you say, V 10 “I am greatly afflicted.” because your spirit will be joined with the Spirit.
   What is your response? Will you speak worship and faith to the One who hears you? V 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. Will you live as you have spoken? V 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. God will protect the righteous when physical life ends. V 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Our life belongs to God, and so does our death to this life. The Father has sent Jesus to die for you, so you can be certain he will watch over your death.
   The psalm closes with a servant’s worshipful response to God’s mercy. V 16 O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. 17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the LORD – in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
   This is the gospel. God hears your heart’s needs. He receives your confession and hears your vows. You can securely rest in his saving power. You will be forever with him because he watches over your life unto death. He hears your faithful worship and delights as you serve him with humble gratitude. God is listening to your faith. Praise the LORD – Hallelujah!