What does "He will respond to the prayer" reveal about God's character? Setting the scene Psalm 102 captures the cry of a suffering saint. Verse 17 gives a breathtaking assurance: “He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea.” The simple certainty, “He will respond to the prayer,” anchors the whole lament in hope. The promise tucked into one line • “He will … ”: the action is guaranteed by God’s own nature, not by the pray-er’s merit. • “respond to the prayer”: God is neither passive nor indifferent; He acts when addressed. • “of the destitute”: even those with nothing to offer find His ear open. • “will not despise their plea”: He treats the lowliest cry with respect and urgency. What this reveals about God’s character • Attentive—His eyes and ears are always open (Psalm 34:15). • Compassionate—He moves toward the hurting, not away from them (Isaiah 30:19). • Accessible—No mediator but Christ is required; anyone may speak and be heard (Hebrews 4:16). • Faithful—He keeps every promise, including the promise to answer (Jeremiah 33:3). • Sovereign yet personal—Ruler of the universe who stoops to listen (Psalm 113:5-6). • Impartial—Status, wealth, and influence do not sway Him; need does (Acts 10:34-35). • Powerful—When He answers, real change happens (Ephesians 3:20). Supporting snapshots from the rest of Scripture • Psalm 65:2: “O You who listen to prayer, all mankind will come to You.” • Psalm 145:18-19: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him… He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” • Isaiah 58:9: “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” • Matthew 7:7-11: God gives good gifts to those who ask, mirroring a father’s heart. • 1 John 5:14-15: Confidence that whatever we ask according to His will is granted. • James 1:5: He generously gives wisdom to all who ask without reproach. What it means for us today • Pray boldly—His response is rooted in His goodness, not ours. • Pray persistently—Delay is never disdain; He values every plea. • Pray honestly—Destitution of spirit is no barrier; it is often the doorway to His richest answers. • Live expectantly—An answering God invites us to watch for His interventions in both ordinary and miraculous ways. Summary “He will respond to the prayer” unveils a God who is attentive, compassionate, faithful, and powerful. Scripture’s consistent testimony confirms that He delights to hear and answer the cries of His people, proving Himself the living, loving Lord who keeps every promise. |
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