"O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you." (Psalm 143: 1,2 NIV) 

How do you know God will answer your call? 

A very sincere man asked for some counsel. He was considering a major change in the life of his family. It would involve a change in location, as well as other major adjustments. He honestly said, “I just want to know what God wants me to do. I have made too many bad decisions in my life, and I cannot afford to make another bad one.” He asked, "How can I know what God wants me to do?” 

No matter how sincere your request or question may be, you cannot expect God to answer in an audible voice. How do you suppose you would react if He did? It seems that most people would be frozen with fear if they heard Him audibly speak. 

Prayer, like everything else that is involved in living a life of intimate relationship with God, requires faith in Him and in His promises. The Bible says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). 

Even though you “diligently seek Him,” you cannot expect to hear Him answer in an audible voice. All you can do is to trust Him and pour your heart out to Him. Listen to how David did it, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness” (v.1) 

This verse seems to have been written when David was hiding in a cave so that Saul could not kill him. It was a very miserable time in his life. However, he still relied upon God’s faithfulness. He was crying out for mercy, not for justice. He knew he did not deserve to receive anything from God, but he still asked for God’s mercy. “Enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified” (v. 2). 

Whatever you need from God, trust Him to enable you to make right decisions and rely upon Him to show His loving-kindness to you. 

(A reading from Bennie McWha)