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ANSWERS TO PRAYER
THE blessed word of God abounds with promises, with promises of all that we can need, grace, mercy, peace, strength, victory. But will these promises be so performed, that a poor sinful man like ourselves shall be conscious of the performance of them to his own soul? Here is the peculiar excellency of the Book of Psalms; in which we have a record of David’s own experience. We see in this book a faithful delineation of a man’s intercourse with his Maker; and, in the words which I have read, a testimony that God had fulfilled his word, yea, and “magnified it above all his name.”
Let us consider,
I. David’s testimony to the compassion of his God—
David was in the habit of spreading all his wants before God—
[Exceedingly had he been tried from his youth up. With such unrelenting malignity was he persecuted by Saul, that nothing but a direct interposition of the Deity could preserve him — — — But he committed his cause to God in prayer — — — And when no hope, according to human appearances, remained to him, “he encouraged himself in the Lord his God [Note: 1Sa_30:6.].”]
And from God he received many signal answers to prayer—
[Of this he testifies with much joy and gratitude [Note: Psa_18:4-6; Psa_34:3-6.] — — — In my text, he particularly declares that God’s answers to his prayers had been both speedy and effectual. “In the very day that he cried, God had answered him,” when he was shut up in the city of Keilah. He had heard that Saul was coming to besiege him there; and he had reason to fear that the men of Keilah would deliver him up into the hands of Saul. On both these points he sought information from the Lord, who knew perfectly not only what designs actually existed in the minds of men, but what would be formed under any circumstances which might occur. Here was no time for delay: nor did God delay to give him the information he desired. Thus, through the speed with which his prayer was answered, his life, together with that of his followers, was preserved [Note: 1Sa_23:9-12.]. Exceeding abundant, too, had been God’s gracious communications to him in answer to his prayer. Any man who was not miraculously sustained by God would have sunk under the weight of his afflictions, or at least would have availed himself of the opportunities which were repeatedly afforded him of terminating them by the death of his inveterate enemy. But, though urged to it by his own friends, he would in no wise consent to such a method of extricating himself from his calamities [Note: 1Sa_24:4-7; 1Sa_26:7-12.]. Well might he say, as in my text, “Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my soul:” for, if not strengthened in a very extraordinary degree from on high, he never could have maintained such a conduct as this.]
When we see such a testimony as this, it becomes us to consider,
II. The instruction to be derived from it—
It would be impossible in one discourse, or in many, to unfold all the important lessons that are to be learned from this testimony: I will, therefore, confine myself to two:
1. The efficacy of prayer—
[O that this were duly considered! How urgent should we be at the throne of grace! Who amongst us should not be able to bear the same testimony with David, if, like him, we habituated ourselves to fervent and believing prayer? Never did God say to any, “Seek ye my face in vain.” No: he is “a God that heareth prayer.” “The prayer of the upright is his delight.” And such is the efficacy of it, when poured out in faith, that, when he had determined to punish Israel for their iniquities, he forbad Moses to intercede for them; saying, “Let me alone, that I may consume them;” that is, ‘If you intercede for them, you will bind my hands, so that I cannot execute the threatened vengeance: and, therefore, let me alone, that I may be free to act.’ Be assured, Brethren, that whilst you have a heart to pray, God has an ear to hear, and answer. David succeeded by “worshipping towards God’s holy Temple [Note: ver. 2.]:” and shall not you, if you direct your prayer to Him wham the Temple typified, even the Lord Jesus Christ? Shall it be in vain to supplicate your incarnate God, or to go to the Father in the name of his dear Son? Try it; and you shall soon have to say with David, “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee: for in the day when I cried, thou answeredst me [Note: ver. 1.].” Yes, you shall understand, by sweet experience, the truth of that promise, “It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear [Note: Isa_65:24.].” Nay, more, your God will do for you not only what you ask, but “exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or think.”]
2. The use and intent of trials—
[We are apt to regard them as enemies that are greatly to be dreaded; (and, no doubt, “they are not for the present joyous, but grievous:”) but they are indeed blessings in disguise. They are often sent to quicken us to prayer; to make us feel our dependence on God; and to discover to us the abundance of his condescension and grace. What would David have known of God comparatively, if he had not been placed in circumstances of great difficulty, where none but God could help him, and where God, in answer to his prayers, appeared for his support? No man ever more abounded in praises than he; but they all had their foundation in the deliverances vouchsafed in answer to his prayers. When, therefore, any trial comes, say with yourselves, Now God is preparing me for richer discoveries of his own glory; and if he make me to feel my own weakness, it is only that he may “perfect his own strength in and by that weakness.” Fear not, then, to go into any depths; since from them shall your prayer come up, even us Jonah’s did, into the ears of the Most High; and God will take you from them, to set your feet upon a rock, and to fill you with praises and thanksgivings to him for the manifestations of his love [Note: Psa_40:1-3.].]
Address—
1. Those who restrain prayer before God—
[The generality know not what prayer is, but content themselves with reading or reciting a form in which they feel no interest — — — And of those who have on some particular occasions called upon his name, how many relapse into a cold and formal state, as though they had ceased to need the blessings which they once solicited! Alas! what enemies are both of these characters to the real welfare of their own souls! They are enemies even to their present happiness, and much more to their happiness in the world to come. This I must say to all persons of this description: “You have not, because you ask not:” nor can you ever have pardon, or peace, or holiness, or glory, in any way but in that of humble, fervent, and believing prayer. You must “open your mouth wide,” if ever you would have it “filled” with spiritual and eternal blessings.]
2. Those who can unite in David’s testimony respecting the compassion of their God—
[Go on, and “pray without ceasing.” There never is a day when you cease to need a supply of spiritual good; and never shall your importunity displease your God. “Be not straitened in yourselves, and never shall you find that you are straitened in him.” Live a life of prayer, and you shall never be disappointed of your hope [Note: Isa_40:31.]. Be instant in prayer, and you may say with David, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me [Note: ver. 7.].” You may add, too, with equal confidence, “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me [Note: ver. 8.].” What delightful thoughts are these! and how will you “sing in the ways of the Lord [Note: ver. 5.],” when your mind is so occupied! This is the proper walk of a Christian; and every communication received from God, in answer to your prayers, shall be an earnest and foretaste of yet richer blessings in the realms of bliss.]