He shall hear thee

Job 22:27

Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.

This verse gives us the cycle of life, the predictable and dependable way in which our Lord works. And it is a marvelous thing that the Lord would listen to any of us sinners and imperfect creatures. But this is what the Lord has chosen to do. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers. It is a repeated theme woven throughout the fabric of Scripture as a scarlet chord. It is a consistent concept, a repeated motif. The Lord hears! He listens! He is attentive to our prayers. Did not the Lord hear Abraham, who desired a son? Did He not hear Joseph, falsely accused in the dungeon? Did He not hear Moses as He sought to lead Israel out of Egypt? Did He not hear David, Solomon, Elijah, etc.? Did He not extend Hezekiah’s life fifteen years after he prayed? Did He not listen to the prayers of His Son, who yet prays on our behalf? Is not prayer the means of communication that we have with God? There are some prayers that God does not answer as we ask, because it would be to our detriment, or it would not bring the good we assume that it would. But the heart of God is to give to His children good things to them that ask Him.

Here, we are assured with the words, “He shall hear thee.” We can have confidence that the Lord hears our prayers. If the Lord does not hear, it is because we have not uttered anything in His hearing. We have talked to relatives, friends, and acquaintances, but have not spoken with the Lord! We have consulted neighbor and stranger alike more than we have spoken with our Lord. Why would we not speak to the Lord while this opportunity has been so freely presented to us. Some never see answers to prayer because they have never tried! “The Lord doesn’t care about me or my needs,” one will say. Or, “He wouldn’t answer this prayer,” or maybe, “I have never seen Him answer.” You have never given Him the chance! That is the problem! When you give Him a chance to work, what mighty answers He gives! What wondrous ways He orchestrates the details of our lives for our good! What tiny, insignificant prayers He will answer if you will just prove Him! Many have never proved Him, so they know none of the felicity and blessedness that comes from Christian communion! They never practiced it. And if you never practice something, you get no good out of it.

Now, this verse tells us that as the Lord hears us, we will perform our vows. This is the product of having our prayers answered. We will be more dedicated, more consecrated, more willing to obey Him, for He has won our hearts. Through answers to prayer He has shown His great love, and we will never want to disobey or disappoint Him again. It is a cycle. It begins with prayers, and then our Lord answers, and then we are more bound to Him in complete surrender because of His answers. Oh, my friend, what are you praying for today? Pray it again! Ask the Lord once more! Do not make excuses, but talk to Him today. Ask the insignificant prayers. Speak to the Lord about your little needs. And see whether or not the Lord will show Himself strong on your behalf. For this is the way of the Lord! Prove Him today and see! How He hears the prayers of His servants! And then you will be inclined in your heart to pay all your vows! Find Him to be true today!

“Father, we thank you that you do hear our prayers, and you do answer them. Help us not to hide behind the falsehood that claims that you do not care about our little needs. Let us speak to you today about every need, knowing that you will show great and mighty things which we know not! Oh Lord, may we not miss out on the wonderful blessings of a life of daily communion with the Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”