11th April 2024
Our God has ears
This is the second in a series of studies on the subject of prayer.
‘For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer…’
1 Peter 3:12 (NIVUK)
When you read through the Old Testament it seems that some of its characters believed that the Lord God didn’t hear their cries. Take for example the following verses from the Psalms: ‘Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?’ (Psalm 10:1). ‘Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us for ever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?’ (Psalm 44:23-24)
Reading these verses, you might be forgiven for thinking that God doesn’t listen and worse, doesn’t care. So, Job asks a legitimate question that we all want an answer to: ‘Does God listen to their cry when distress comes upon them?’ (Job 27:9). And David offers a prayer on behalf of all of us: ‘Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping…’ (Psalm 39:12).
Well God has answered this prayer supremely in the coming of Jesus. Although some of us, from Old Testament times to the present, might think that God doesn’t listen or care, the coming of Jesus ended that speculation. God has not figuratively stuck his fingers in his ears, rather he came to us taking on literal ears. As Jesus walked on this earth his ears would have been filled with the desperate cries of those who were in need. And as he heard their cries, he was full of compassion, demonstrating that he cared. Here’s just one such example:
“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20:29-34).
Jesus was touched to the deepest part of his being and responded with compassion more profound than we can ever know. If you are experiencing a trial, problem, or difficulty then cry out to the God who has ears – Jesus will hear you and show compassion – and then you will discover what David came to understand: ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.’ (Psalm 40:1-2).
Our only response then is to praise him for his love and compassion, which others will see: ‘He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.’ (Psalm 40:3).
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you that you are the listening God, perfectly revealed to us in Jesus. May we always talk to you, and patiently wait for your answer. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church