This sermon from Psalms 81 emphasizes the power and presence of God in the lives of believers, urging them to remember God's faithfulness and the secret place of thunder where God answers prayers. The message encourages believers to tap into the supernatural power of God within them, to seek boldness in sharing the Gospel, and to trust in God's ability to bring victory over all obstacles. The sermon calls for a deep reliance on God's strength and a commitment to glorifying His name in the earth.

David Wilkerson emphasizes that our afflictions are a testament to God's love and delight in us, as seen in Psalm 18. He encourages believers to view their trials as opportunities for growth and to remember that God has delivered them in the past, assuring them that their current struggles will eventually pass. Wilkerson reflects on his own experiences, noting that he learned more through afflictions than in times of prosperity, and urges listeners to respond to their challenges with faith rather than doubt. He reassures that God has a plan for each believer, preparing them for spiritual warfare and to be examples of faith.

David Wilkerson addresses the struggles of believers who feel pressed beyond measure, drawing parallels to biblical figures like Paul, Job, and David. He emphasizes that such trials are common and encourages believers to cry out to God in their moments of despair, reminding them of God's faithfulness and deliverance. Wilkerson reassures that in times of hopelessness, God hears our cries and provides strength and support through the Holy Spirit.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the power of crying out to God in prayer, illustrating how a child's cries can lead to affection and support. He highlights that true prayer is not measured by its length or eloquence, but by the fervency and sincerity of the heart. Brooks encourages believers to approach God with earnest cries, assuring them that their heartfelt prayers reach the heavens and invoke God's response. He cites Psalm 18:6 to affirm that God hears our cries and answers us in our distress.

F.B. Meyer emphasizes that every cry from a suffering soul is heard by God, who is intimately aware of our pain and struggles. He compares God's responsiveness to a mother's sensitivity to her child's needs, assuring that even the lowest cries do not go unnoticed. Meyer reassures that God's answers may come in unexpected ways and at the right time, encouraging believers to remain hopeful and attentive to the ways God may be responding. He reminds us that sometimes the delay in answers is part of God's preparation for us to receive His gifts. Ultimately, we must trust that God is always listening and that our answers are on their way, even if we cannot see them yet.

F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of calling upon the Lord in times of distress, assuring that God hears our cries and responds with redemptive help. He illustrates how God redeemed David from unjust accusations and various afflictions, highlighting the necessity of entrusting our causes to God for vindication. Meyer encourages believers to recognize the protective presence of God in their lives, guiding them through dangers and leading them to safety. Ultimately, he points out that God's greatest miracle is the redemption of our lives from destruction, despite our inner struggles.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that despite the unfaithfulness of friends and family, God remains a faithful listener to our sorrows and desires. He encourages believers to turn to the Lord in times of distress, reminding them that God, as a living and loving covenant partner, is always ready to hear their cries. Spurgeon reassures that even in the face of betrayal or oppression, God’s attentiveness is heightened, and He invites the hurting to express their grief to Him. The sermon highlights the personal relationship one can have with God, affirming that when we call Him 'My God,' we can trust that He will indeed hear us.

John Henry Jowett emphasizes the power of genuine, heartfelt cries to the Lord in prayer, likening it to a desperate cry for help like that of a drowning person. He highlights how this type of prayer can bring about a spiritual battle where invisible allies are called into action, causing enemies to retreat. Jowett encourages believers to have faith based on past experiences of answered prayers, knowing that God has the power to intervene and bring victory in times of trouble.

Anne Bradstreet preaches about seeking the Lord in distress, finding comfort and restoration in His presence, and offering a heart of praise and dedication in return for His mercy and grace. She emphasizes the importance of surrendering our lives to God, making them fruitful and dedicated to praising Him in all aspects. Bradstreet expresses a desire to continually praise the Lord and ultimately be in His presence for eternity.

George Herbert's sermon emphasizes the deep cries, groans, and sighs of a soul in desperate need of God's mercy and compassion, acknowledging the weariness, hoarseness, and giddiness that come from the burdens of life. The plea is for God to hear, to not be indifferent or deaf to the heartfelt cries of His children, and to consider their sorrows and griefs with a compassionate ear. Despite feeling abandoned and in bitter grief, the speaker clings to the hope that God, who made the ear, will indeed hear and respond to their pleas for help and healing.

Warren Wiersbe preaches on the importance of not creating problems and enemies but instead praying, living for the Lord, and representing Him in all we do. He highlights how David, in Psalms 18, celebrated victory over his enemies, acknowledging God as his deliverer when he called upon Him. Wiersbe emphasizes the personal connection with God by using nine different titles for Him, encouraging listeners to claim God as their own in times of need and trust Him for deliverance.

P.T. Forsyth emphasizes the importance of importunate prayer, highlighting the need for persistent, fervent, and active prayer that engages in a real conflict of wills with God. He challenges the idea of prayer as mere submission or resignation, urging believers to wrestle with God and resist His will in a way that aligns with His higher intentions. Forsyth explores how prayer can change God's intention, emphasizing the power of prayer to alter situations, deepen spiritual life, and bring about blessings through persistent faith and love.

In this sermon on suffering affliction, the preacher delves into the Greek word 'thlibo', which means to press, squash, or hem in, depicting the pressure and narrowness of afflictions. The concept of 'thlibo' involves suffering due to circumstances or antagonism, pressing believers into distressing problems. The speaker emphasizes that trials and afflictions are necessary for believers, as they purify faith, prepare believers to comfort others, and develop endurance and zeal for spreading the gospel. The sermon highlights the importance of enduring afflictions in the Christian life, as they prove the reality of faith and refine believers for God's glory.