The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 NIV
Have you ever felt that God was not listening when you cried out to him? These words from Psalm 34 make clear that the Lord hears the cry of the righteous. When we live by the will of God, keeping his commandments, the Lord is faithful to hear us and deliver us from trouble.
David knew well the Lord’s faithfulness to hear our petitions. He received God’s protection and powerful deliverance from many enemies including the giant Goliath. The Lord kept him safe during his flight from the wrath of King Saul. physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, God gave David the strength to endure and overcome great adversity.
Repentance and the Righteousness of Christ
If we have sinned, God will still hear us, but we must turn from our sin before we are delivered. Notice that the verse says that the “righteous” cry out. We are made righteous by the blood of Jesus. When we accept him as Lord and Savior and repent from our sins we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and considered righteous by God through our faith in Christ.
We read in Proverbs 15:29, “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. KJV” God listens to the prayers of his believers. He will help us but there must not be a wedge of sin between us and God.
What a great comfort it is to know that the Lord hears us in our darkest moments. Living in obedience to God, when the righteous cry out in distress, the Lord is always there to deliver us from trouble.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive me for my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against me. I praise you for hearing my prayer and choose to live in obedience to your word. Thank you for delivering me from all my troubles. In Jesus’ name – Amen.”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Joy and Peace
