“I love the Lord, because He has heard my cries. Because He bends down and listens.”

Psalm 116: 1-2

Imagine speaking with a close friend who actually listens and then acts when you share what’s on your mind. That’s the picture from the passage above.

We know this, but it is good to be reminded. There is nothing going on in your life (or mine) that is hidden from God. He’s aware of what you need and what is breaking your heart and even your worries about the future. For thousands of years, God’s people have known these truths and we need to rest on His faithfulness and care.

Not only is He listening to our prayers, but He promises to respond. Consider these words from Paul –

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

1 Corinthians 1:8-10

In a time of despair, Paul leaned on God instead of his own strength. Let’s remember to do the same.