January 15

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. - Psalms 116:1.

WE see much in the history of David which tells us that he must have observed the answers of his prayers, and that he was wise enough to improve them. It is the richest traffic under heaven. “The merchandise thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof is better than fine gold.” That God hears and answers the prayers of all his people is most manifest. This appears from the promises, which in this respect are exceedingly “great and precious.” “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” We may see it also in the experience of God’s people in all ages.

How many testimonies are there to the success of prayer! What did it for Abraham? for Joshua? for Hezekiah? What judgments has it not removed? What deliverances has it not accomplished? What blessings has it not obtained? And David observed the answers of his prayers. “He hath inclined his ear unto me, he hath heard my voice and my supplications.” He was sure of this. Balaam has said, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,” without ever regarding the way that led to the one, or the life which conduced to the other. And Pilate asked, “What is truth?” and never waited for an answer.

This is much like some persons, who by the appearance of devotion draw forth the divine attention, when they are regardless of his benefits. They knock at the door, and do not wait to see if it be opened, or whether they are likely to succeed. Is not this a solemn mockery? Is it not taking God’s name in vain? Is it not offering the sacrifice of fools? Can we ever imagine that God will regard those prayers that we do not regard ourselves, or watch for an answer to?

God does not always answer prayer immediately. He does in some instances. In the case of Daniel and of Cornelius, their prayers were answered at the very time, and God has given us the promise, “It shall come to pass, that, before they call, I will answer, and, while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” At other times he delays. He “waits that he may be gracious,” and requires us to wait too. Every thing is beautiful in its season. “It is good for a man that he both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” “For he is a God of judgment, and blessed are all they that wait for him.” We must not, therefore, fix a time, and say, if he does not come, “Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” for he never delays but in order to render his blessings more useful; to ripen the mercies he is waiting to bestow. We are like foolish, eager children, who would gather the fruit before the sun has given it its fine complexion, its rich relish, or its nutritious quality. But, says the Psalmist, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

We should also remember, that there are various ways in which God answers prayer. We are prone to prescribe to him, and think that he must come in such a direction; but, while we stand gazing there, he passes by another way. Sometimes he grants the very blessings we pray for. This was the case with the Psalmist. “Thou hast given,” said the Psalmist, “to him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness; he asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him.”

Sometimes he answers by an exchange of mercies. Instead of temporal he bestows spiritual blessings. This was the case with Paul:-“He besought the Lord thrice, but his prayer was not answered by deliverance, but by support.” “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Sometimes God answers prayer by distressing things, by severe afflictions and trials; “by terrible things in righteousness.”

The reason why we do not perceive the answers to our prayers, is our indifference or inattention, for David says, “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even he shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.” Flavel says, “He that observes providences shall never want providences to observe.” Sometimes we are looking for something too surprising, and remarkable, and sensitive; not remembering that God does not go out of the common course of nature and providence.

All hearts are open to him, all creatures are under his control, but we must use proper means, and, if we pray in faith, we may be sure that “praying breath shall not be spent in vain.”