Psalm 65:2 O you that hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. What avails prayer if it be not heard? But the text comforts us by the title it ascribes to God, and by the effect that the belief of it shall have upon all flesh. God in Christ is the hearer of prayer. I. WHEREIN GOD'S HEARING OF PRAYER LIES. This involves — 1. His accepting of our prayer (Psalm 141:2). But some prayer God hates (Proverbs 28:9). 2. His granting the request (Psalm 20:1, 4; Matthew 15:28). 3. His answering of prayer (Psalm 102:2). Prayer heard in heaven comes back like the dove with the olive branch of peace in her mouth. II. THE IMPORT OF GOD'S BEING THE HEARER OF PRAYER. It imports — 1. God in Christ is accessible to poor sinners (2 Corinthians 5:19). 2. He is a sin-pardoning God (Exodus 34:6, 7). 3. He is an all-sufficient God. 4. Bountiful and compassionate (Psalm 86:5). 5. Omnipresent and omniscient, and — 6. Of infinite power. III. WHAT PRAYERS THEY ARE THAT GOD HEARS. 1. Those of His own children. 2. Such as are agreeable to His will (1 John 5:14). 3. Made by the aid of the Holy Spirit. None else are acceptable. And — 4. Prayers offered to God through Christ. IV. CONSIDER MORE PARTICULARLY THIS DOCTRINE. 1. The instinct of prayer in all God's people shows that He will hear prayer. 2. And so does the intercession of Christ (Romans 8:84). 3. Promises (Matthew 7:7; Isaiah 65:24; Psalm 145:19). 4. Invitations to prayer (Song of Solomon 2:14; Hosea 5:1. ult.; Psalm 50:15; Isaiah 41:17). 5. The gracious nature of God (Exodus 22:27). 6. The experiences of the saints in all ages. 7. The present ease and relief which prayer gives (Psalm 138:8; 1 Samuel 1:18; Micah 7:7). V. IN WHAT MANNER GOD HEARS PRAYER. 1. A thing prayed for may be obtained and yet the prayer be not accepted (Psalm 78:29; Psalm 34:1-38:22). So that a thing prayed for may be given in downright wrath (Hosea 13:11). Or in uncovenanted condescension. As Ahab (1 Kings 21:29; also Hosea 11:3). 2. Whether answers come in the way of grace or not may be discerned. They do not when there is a wilfulness and unhumbledness of spirit in asking (1 Samuel 8:19). Or when men's lusts are strengthened and fed by them when received (Psalm 78:29, 80). Or when men ask on the ground of their necessity more than on the intercession of Christ. The heart loves the gift more than the giver. But a prayer may be accepted and yet not granted. So was it with our Lord (Matthew 26:39). And David (2 Chronicles 6:8, 9). And such prayers are ever submissive to God's will (Matthew 26:39); they contain in the denial of them an unseen greater mercy; and even aim at the glory of God. And though unanswered we may know they are accepted when the heart is brought to meek submission (Psalm 22:2, 3); and we are supported under the denial, as our Lord was (Luke 22:42, 43; Psalm 138:3). And helped to go back to God with new petitions in faith and hope of hearing (2 Samuel 12:20). Let us remember that delay is not denial. Abraham prayed for an heir, yet fifteen years passed before the answer came (Genesis 15:3, 4; Genesis 17:25; Exodus 2:23, 24; Daniel 9:28). There is a difference between the granting of a petition and our knowing that it is granted. They may come together, as in Matthew 15:28. But, as with Abraham, they may not. The hearing and granting of prayer is an object of faith; the answer, of sense and feeling (1 John 5:14, 15; Matthew 15:28). But the two are generally at a distance from one another. And the reason of this is manifold. 1. To keep us at the throne of grace (Proverbs 15:8; Song of Solomon 2:14). 2. To try our graces (James 1:12; Job 27:10; Luke 18:7). God delights in our faith. 3. To prepare and fit us for the answer (Psalm 10:17). 4. That we may have them at the fittest time, and when they will do us most good (John 11:14, 15; John 2:4). (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. |
    |