The psalmist could not trust in himself for his own rescue and deliverance, nor could he trust the people around him, some of whom were liars, but he knew he could trust in the Lord and call on Him for help, so he did on more than one occasion.  Calling on the Lord was his habit. This “habit of communication” actually gives God pleasure for God delights in all the details of our lives!  Our God is personal to us. Only our God wants to know all that is on our minds even though He sees what is on our hearts before we see it.  How blessed are we to know that God “humbles Himself” (also translated “bends down”) to pay attention and concentrate on what we are saying to Him!

Only a God as great as Jehovah can hear the voices of millions of His children who are praying to Him at the same time and know what each one is saying and will respond with goodness, love, mercy, and grace.  “How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God…”

Psalm 116, The Message

^1-6 I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:
“Please, God!” I cried out.
    “Save my life!”
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
    our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
    when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

^7-8     I said to myself, “Relax and rest.
    God has showered you with blessings.
    Soul, you’ve been rescued from death;
    Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears;
    And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”

^9-11 I’m striding in the presence of God,
    alive in the land of the living!
I stayed faithful, though overwhelmed,
    and despite a ton of bad luck,
Despite giving up on the human race,
    saying, “They’re all liars and cheats.”

^12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.

Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND—TO A GOD WHO LISTENS?

God teaches us with every trial, circumstance and act of suffering we endure on this earth in our imperfect world with lessons that build our faith with opportunities to help others seek God, find Him, and give Him glory!  Jesus was our supreme example as the Master Teacher who was God in the flesh!  (Philippians 2)

So, how do we respond to how God responds to us?  We listen intently with focus on Him.  We listen to God with surrendered, willing hearts of trust and obedience to Him. 

Only then are we ready to listen to others who are struggling and need someone to see and hear them.  Our world is overflowing with overwhelmed people who just need a listening ear—not to fix their problem, but to listen.  For it is in the listening that value is restored.  No matter where we are or what position we hold in this life; we must be willing to stop, bend down humbly to listen to truly hear someone in need—just like Jesus did. (Read all the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for examples!)  Jesus also prayed for all, (including us before going to the cross) and gave God all the Glory.  “I only do what the Father tells me”, Jesus said often. “Not my will, but yours be done”.

Remember that it is only Jesus who saves and rescues; our work is to lead them to the One who died and rose again to deliver all who believe in Him from sin and set free.  Then God gives all who believe Jesus the gift of eternal life.  (John 3:16-17) No condemnation—only redemption for all who believe.  Jesus saves.  We do not for we can’t even save ourselves!  Jesus does for us what we cannot do for ourselves—paid all the sin-debt we owe forever.

So, we don’t listen with minds ready to condemn others of their sins with how to “fix it”—our commission is to tell them the Good News, baptizing in the Name of Jesus, with how to be a disciple of Jesus, Son of God.  (Matthew 28:20) It’s all in the Word of God made flesh in Jesus.  We do not have to add our own opinions or commentary.  It’s all about listening then leading souls to Jesus who delivers us from our sin.  Jesus is the answer—the only answer to all the questions of this world and beyond!

God is delighted when we develop His character of “bending down” with humbled compassion to listen to others.  When we point people to God who is the One who sent His Son, Jesus to save us and deliver us from all our sins; God gives us His Holy Spirit with power to say His words that will help, not hinder, souls in need of rescuing.  We are to “raise the cup of salvation” and declare who God is and what His Son has provided!

“I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”—Jesus, Matthew 25:40

Lord,

I surrender all to you this morning, all that I am or hope to be, I give to you as an offering.  Lead me.  Cleanse my heart, renew my mind. Give me the words to say.  Help me to make the most of every opportunity to raise the cup of salvation so others will know and believe.

In Jesus Name, Amen