“Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God; for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” — Psalm 5:2–3.
As I read these verses, I have to ask myself: do I lay all my requests before him? Do I wait in expectation for an answer from God? I’d have to confess that often I do not. How can I expect an answer if I don’t even ask the God of the universe?
I may tell God about the “big” issues like a lost job or relationship problems. But often I tend to do my own thing, go my merry way, and expect him to grant me joy and success. That’s not the way psalmist David describes my role. Here’s the tactic David took in times of trouble:
* He cried out for help to his King. Not just a tiny whisper or bow of his head quickly in case someone might hear or see him prayer. David knew God as the only true source of wisdom and comfort. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
* In the MORNING, he talked with God … not the last thing he did before he pillowed his head or just before crisis mode. No, it’s the FIRST TASK he did early in the day before other duties crowded out valuable one-on-one time.
* David watched and waited in eager anticipation of an answer. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).
Pray. Cry out for help. Listen. Wait.
***