Daily
Devotional

Several years ago, a friend of mine attended his fifty-year high school reunion. As part of the evening activities, a gentleman was asked to say a prayer. As he was praying, someone hollered from the back of the room, in a jesting manner, “I can’t hear you!” The reply of the man leading in prayer was simple: “I wasn’t talking to you.” Then he went on with his prayer.

The Psalmist understood the importance of directing his prayers to God. Even if others were listening, he was focused on gaining the ear of God. God demands an approach to Him that acknowledges His holiness and justice, an approach that is reverent of Him. That was made possible by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, the sole mediator between God and man.

Only those who are truly born again have the confidence to address God as Father, for the Bible says, “Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Such a confidence gives us the ability to direct our prayers to Him, not to others who may be listening. Regardless of whether others can hear us or understand what we are saying, God knows our hearts and will hear a sincere prayer. Remember, the only thing worse than a heart without prayer, is a prayer without heart.

David also understood that God’s promises are viable and powerful, so when he prayed, he could look up and expect God to answer. We, too, can expect God to answer if we come to Him in the way that He has instructed us in His Word. The Lord promised His children, “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

One other notable aspect of today’s focus verse is that the Psalmist said he would direct his prayer to God in the morning. The morning is certainly not the only time to pray, but it is a good time to pray. There is a song which says that if you meet God in the morning, He will be with you through the day, and that is a good rule to live by. This morning, let’s direct our prayer unto God and look up.