We have a God that hears us

Psalm 142:1-7

(1)  A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
(2)  I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
(3)  When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
(4)  Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
(5)  I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
(6)  Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!
(7)  Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.

A maskil is a psalm that is meant for instruction. The reader should be attentive in reading a maskil to learn what it is that the writer is intending to teach them. In this psalm we have a simple message that is worth examining and repeating.

1. No matter how dire our circumstances may seem, there is no depth to which we can go where God can not hear us. Notice that David cried out with his voice. The believer should be quick to give voice to his concerns for we have a God who hears us. We have the promise in scripture that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).
2. Even when the direction for our lives is unclear to us we have a God who is sovereign and knows the paths before us. Psalm 139 tells us that God searches out our paths and is acquainted with all our ways. This is of great comfort to the believer in times of uncertainty.
3. The humble man knows that our refuge is in God. We should not trust in the protections that this world can provide. Notice that David was hidden in a cave but he did not trust in the refuge that the cave provided. Any comfort or protection that we find in this world is merely temporary but the refuge we have in God is eternal. This gives us true joy in our times of trouble for our deliverer is there for us.
4. Finally, note that David prays for deliverance. He does not ask so that he can avenge his enemies. He does not ask so that he can increase his kingdom. He does not ask for any personal reasons. He wants to be delivered so that he can give praise to God for the mighty works He has done.

When we have our faith in God and recognize our low position, we can not help but voice our prayers and concerns to Him. For we know that only He can deliver us from this world and for that we give Him all the thanks and praise.