What does "I called to the LORD" reveal about prayer's importance? The Verse Psalm 118:5: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me and set me free.” The Context of the Cry • Psalm 118 is a hymn of thanksgiving sung after deliverance from danger. • The psalmist’s “distress” paints a literal picture of being hemmed in by enemies (vv. 10-13). • Deliverance is attributed wholly to the LORD—not circumstance, chance, or the psalmist’s own ingenuity. What “I called to the LORD” Shows About Prayer’s Importance • Prayer is the believer’s first response, not a last resort. • Calling “to the LORD” recognizes His sovereignty and willingness to intervene. • The past-tense wording (“I called…He answered”) records a real historical event, underscoring prayer’s tangible results. • The immediate answer (“He…set me free”) reveals that God’s timing can be swift and decisive. • The phrase links prayer directly to liberation; without the call, the psalmist would still be in distress. Key Truths Drawn from the Phrase • Necessity: Distress drives us to depend on God rather than self (cf. 2 Chron. 20:12). • Access: Every believer may “call” because the LORD invites and hears (Jeremiah 33:3). • Certainty: God not only listens but answers (1 John 5:14-15). • Deliverance: The Lord’s answer brings spacious freedom (Psalm 118:5b; John 8:36). • Testimony: Recorded answers embolden future faith (Psalm 66:16-20). Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 18:6 — “In my distress I called upon the LORD…He heard my voice.” • Jonah 2:2 — “I called to the LORD in my distress, and He answered me.” • Philippians 4:6-7 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer…let your requests be made known to God.” • Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” Practical Takeaways for Today • Make prayer a reflex: speak to God immediately when pressure rises. • Expect real answers: God’s past faithfulness guarantees present help. • Record God’s responses: written testimonies reinforce faith during future trials. • Replace anxiety with petition and thanks, anticipating the peace He promises (Philippians 4:6-7). Summary “I called to the LORD” proves prayer is indispensable, effectual, and central to experiencing God’s deliverance. Calling on Him moves the believer from narrow distress into the broad place of freedom He alone provides. |
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