Psalm 66:18-19

Psalm 66:18-19

Is God listening?

Imagine going to visit a girlfriend or boyfriend, but they know full well that you are actually wanting to be with someone else. It happens, and before long the truth will out and unless there is genuine repentance, the relationship is doomed! A similar scenario is being described in these verses, the Lord God is anticipating a conversation when it becomes clear that we have another love; there is a particular sin that we cherish, someone or something else has stolen our affection and replaced Him in our priorities. We still keep the appointment with the Lord, but it is a half-hearted encounter for our mind is elsewhere, and there are other demands that take precedence over pleasing Him. If that is true, why should the Lord listen to our prayers? To be heard by Him we should at least be honest, and since He is God, do Him the courtesy of our full attention.

You and I know that the story is not quite that simple, there are a thousand and one things that hinder our relationship with our heavenly Father, but it is true that lust and pride and envy and anger and many other sins can become so dominant in our thinking, that prayer becomes a matter of just going through the motions. Is there any reason why God should listen to us? He knows where our priorities lie, and He also knows that we are not genuine. Let’s take note of these verses and remember that if we want the God of heaven and earth to bend His ear to our requests, we need to come before Him with clean hands and a pure heart. God is not mocked. The beauty of this scripture is that it tells us that when we come to Him in humble, sincere faith, He will listen! Hallelujah!

 

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