Psalm 145:18 - God Is Near All Who Call On Him In Truth.
Psalm 145:18 (KJV) The LORD is nigh unto all
them that call upon him, to all that call upon
him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 NCV The Lord is close to
everyone who prays to him.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Prayer Partner
When we pray for one another, we enter
God's workshop, pick up a hammer, and help him
accomplish his purposes.
My dad invited my brother and me to do
something similar. The idea was born at our kitchen
table. My brother was nine years old, and I was
six.
As Dad worked on the plans to build a
house for our family, we stood on tiptoe and
peered over his shoulder. We peppered him with
suggestions. Maybe a big window in the living room or a
swing set in the kitchen.
"You boys want to help me?" he asked.
Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?
Do fish get wet? Of course we wanted to help!
And so it was that my brother and I pedaled our
bikes to the construction project on Alamosa
Street every day after school. Elementary school
seemed so elementary. Who had time for math and
spelling? I needed to load kitchen tiles and pick up
stray nails. I wasn't just a kid in grade school.
I was a partner with my papa.
Our heavenly Father has invited us to be
his partner too.
Dare we accept the invitation? [You Can
Count On God by Max Lucado]
COMMENTARY
Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the
secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace
can be substituted, and the health of the soul
be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into
immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and
strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious
experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in
prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems
convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual
faculties lose their vitality, the religious
experience lacks health and vigor. {GW 254.4}
If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing
our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise
to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in
our religious life. Our prayers will take the
form of a conversation with God as we would talk
with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us
personally. Often there will come to us a sweet, joyful
sense of the presence of Jesus Prayer turns
aside the attacks of Satan. {FLB 225.7}
Call On Him
When we're tempted to get discouraged,
it's important to know that the Lord is near to
all who call on him. He's not far away and busy;
he's near. He wants to hear from us. He wants us
to call on him with our needs.
Pastor Rick Warren says, "You get the
power to keep going from God, by asking him to
empower you, and trusting in him moment by moment."
Asking is important; it's one of the ways we
cooperate with him in pursuing the goals he has for
us. God wants us to have a relationship with
him, and asking for his help is a way of saying,
"I need you. Please be involved in my life.
The psalms are full of passionate prayers
calling on God for help. "Since you are my rock and
my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and
guide me" (Psalm 31:3). "Keep me safe, O God, I've
run for dear life to you. I say to GOD, 'Be my
Lord!' Without you, nothing makes sense" (Psalm
16:1-2 MSG). These are models for us to follow.
Calling upon God with confidence deepens
our relationship with him; he will always
respond and renew us. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day
Devotional]
ILLUSTRATION
My youngest two boys host a magic show.
They wear hats and capes from the costume trunk.
A blanket curtain stretches across the arched
doorway. Grandparents and the brothers are here.
Lonny and I sit close and nibble popcorn our sons
sold for twenty-five cents.
"Now a coin will appear in this bag,"
ten-year-old Isaiah says. He pokes his hand into an empty
velvet pouch.
Twelve-year-old Gabriel waves a wand.
There's magic mumble and a coin in the
bag!
We clap like mad and the boys bow. Ask
and receive. Goodness flows from the wand. I
think about this as the magicians prepare the next
trick.
I used to look at prayer this way.
Back then, my needs were simple and the
turnaround was fast. It seemed a whispered prayer
brought a prompt response. A desirable outcome. An
answer would appear like a toy rabbit in the bottom
of a hat. Then life got tougher.
We worked through infertility.
Miscarriage. Health issues and the heartbreak of a broken
child. Our prayers became pleas, and the answers
weren't wave-of-a-wand swift. Sometimes the answer
looked different than we wanted it to. Sometimes
the answer was "no." Often the answer was
"wait." But I learned that prayer is so much more
than an immediate solution. It's hearing the Lord
speak through His Word. Or it's strength surging
from the Spirit when our own is gone. Or the
comfort of His presence when we cry Abba Father and
know, despite our circumstance, that we're safe
and secure. Suddenly, a worn deck of cards is
fanned near my face. "Pick a card, any card,"
Gabriel says. I do.
A magician works his magic, but I know a
sweeter thing.
Thank You, Lord, for Your intimate care.
Amen. Shawnelle Eliasen [Walking in Grace 2021
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am as near as a whispered prayer:
listening attentively even to your softest utterance.
People who are in love like to be near each other -
usually as close as possible. Often they whisper
words of endearment to each other, words that no
one else can hear. This sort of closeness, with
hushed words of love, is always available to you in
your relationship with Me. I am near to all who
call on Me, even if your call is the faintest
whisper. This promise is for all who call on Me in
truth - who know Me as the Truth.
Of course, I respond also to silent
prayers, but whispering your words can help you feel
closer to Me. Hearing your own voice - however
faintly - reinforces your connection with Me. It
strengthens your awareness of My unseen Presence and
draws you into My loving embrace. Although I
rarely speak audibly to My children, you can hear
My gentle whispers in your heart. Hear Me
saying, "I am with you. I love you. I will never
leave you or forsake you." (Psa. 145:18; John
14:6; Jos. 1:5; 1Ki. 19:11, 12) [Jesus Today by
Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 145:18 - God Comes Near With Unique
Blessings As We Pray.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061228-1044.html
Jeremiah 33 - Prayer Reveals Marvelous And
Wonderful Things From God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210716-1029.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
