March 22, 2021 -- Psalm 10:16-18 -- The LORD Who Is King inclines His ear to hear you

The Lord is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 10:16-18 English Standard Version

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920), the Dutch theologian, journalist and politician wrote: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Truly, as the psalmist had declared: the LORD is king forever, and all lands, every island and nation, every crag and every jungle—all the earth belongs to Him. Every courtroom, every journalist’s editing room, every police station and every prison, every church and all government buildings, all homes and hovels, castles and lean-to’s and every shelter for the homeless—all are claimed by the LORD.

All who are afflicted, all who cry out to Him will be heard. That in itself is powerful. How often have you thought to yourself—I just want to be heard—for someone to truly listen, not interrupt, not tell me their story or jump in when I pause for breath, but really listen to me from start to finish. The LORD hears. This verse has an anthropomorphism as well—God Who is Spirit “inclines His ear”—it is like He is turning His head in order that He is best positioned to hear you. How awesome is our God, the LORD, the King forever! He stoops from His mighty heavens to hear the faint cries of the lowliest people.

He will strengthen your heart. He gives you fresh courage to face the battle and every struggle.

Today’s prayer is the final paragraph of the prayer titled: “The Mediator” from The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

Lord, grant that my religion may not be

occasional and partial,

but universal, influential, effective,

and may I always continue in thy words

as well as thy works,

so that I may reach my end in peace.

https://youtu.be/VU5e4GEz1t0