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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 281. Psa 138:3. Successful Prayer
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Psa_138:3. Successful Prayer
"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul."—Psa_138:3.
This is a psalm of thanksgiving, and was probably written after David had enjoyed the providential interposition of God. in crushing the rebellion of Absalom, and bringing him in peace again to his throne and kingdom. The text is a joyful retrospect, in which he refers both to the course he pursued, and God's gracious conduct towards him. He says, "In the day when I cried," &c.
Notice, I. The Psa. ist's Prayer. And, II. Its successful Issue.
Notice,
I. The Psa. ist's Prayer.
"In the day when I cried," &c.
Sometimes prayer is described under the figures of "looking," "waiting," "calling." "seeking," "inquiring," &c. David says, in the day when I "cried."
Now in this crying to God, there would be,
1. A deep sense of need.
This is essential to prayer. Why cry, if there are no wants to be met, no misery to remove—no help to crave? All men stand in need; but to pray aright, we must feel it—be conscious of it.
2. A feeling sense of inability.
Wo must be divested of all self-confidence and self-complacency, before we can call upon God in an acceptable manner. We must feel our entire dependence upon God, &c. In crying, there seems necessarily included,
3. Earnestness of application.
Prayer is intense desire. The soul's ardent longing, and panting, for God. Our earnestness is not necessary to mere duty, but it is a sign of our sincerity, and without we feel thus, we are not in a right state of mind to receive and value God's blessings. Examples, Jacob—Moses—Elijah—Jesus, "He prayed the more earnestly," &c. There must be,
4. Confidence in the Divine Being we approach.
A firm trust in him. A reliance upon his truth, ability, willingness, &c. "Asking in faith," &c. "Believing that we receive," &c.
In reference to this prayer, notice,
II. Its successful Issue.
In the day when I cried, thou "answeredst me," &c.
It is obvious,
1. That God heard his cry.
O thou that "hearest prayer," &c. Yes, God can hear prayer. The gods of the heathen cannot. Baal could not. God is in everyplace. Never far from us. A God at hand, &c. He sees all. Knows all, &c.
2. He answered he cry.
"Thou answeredst me," &c. Now God is pledged to answer the believing prayers of his people, when they ask agreeably to his word.
(1) On the ground of faithfulness. His truth and word are pledged, &c. Promises absolute.
(2) On the ground of goodness. This induced him to promise. This is infinite—ever overflowing. This is his own reasoning—"If your parents being evil," &c.
"If God spared not his own Son," &c.
(3) On the ground of Christ's intercession. "We have an advocate," &c. "Our great highpriest ever liveth, to make intercession," &c. Him the Father heareth always.
(4) On the ground of the groanings of the Holy Spirit within us. The Spirit dwelleth in us. Stirs us up to pray. Suggests what we need, &c. Rom_8:26 So that to reject our cries, he must forget his word—act inconsistently with his benevolent nature—refuse to hear his Son—and reject the influences his Spirit had produced.
3. God answered him immediately.
"In the day when I cried." Not always so. Would not always be best. Paul besought the Lord thrice, &c. But it is desirable that we should seek a present blessing. We should always expect it now God is now able, &c.
4. God imparted strength to his soul.
Now the soul requires,
(1) Working strength. Strength to do the will of God. To labor in the vineyard. To walk in the way of God's commandments. To work out our salvation. &c.
(2) Strength to resist enemies. We have to wrestle, fight, endure hardness, &c.
(3) Strength to suffer. To suffer as Christians. To suffer with Christ. Meekly, patiently, &c.
(4) To be firm, and persevering. To stand fast. To be immoveable, &c. To go forward. Press towards the mark, &c. So to run as to obtain, &c. Now by this communicated strength, faith is increased—love inflamed—hope encouraged—joy extended, &c.
Application
1. Learn the saint's remedy in trouble—To cry unto the Lord, &c.
2. The importance of soul-strength When obtained, exercise it, &c.
3. The efficacy of fervent prayer. God will hear and bless, &c.
4. The duty of recounting God's gracious answers to our supplications.