Psalm 17:6

⁶I call on you, O God, for you will   answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.      

Undoubtedly, the Psalmist expected God to give him his ear and hear his prayer. Are you prepared to give ear and attentively listen each time your friends come to you and share their problem? Are you comfortably tactful to be their sounding board?

Someone consulted the chaplain and told him a personal problem about his career. After elaborating the cause and effect of his problem, the chaplain said, “I heard you. I understand your problem.” The person waited for a resolution that the chaplain may advise but he waited for nothing. The chaplain was just there listening to him as his sounding board but not the one to make a resolution for him.

Many people like to share their problems to their friends. Some people just want to have a sounding board. They do not need anyone to solve their problems. They just want someone to listen to their complaints or whines. The word “hear”implies listening without giving any comment, suggestion or reaction. This supposition of just wanting to have a sounding board for problems may tamper or even corrupt our understanding with the word “HEAR” in relation to our practice of faith in God. Many people hear the word of God as if God is looking for a sounding board. But graciously, when God hears our prayer, he makes sure that he will act upon it. If our prayer is about problems, the Lord offers appropriate response to our prayer.

We can learn from King Solomon when he prayed in 1 Kings 8:28, ²⁸Give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. Our gracious God is merciful. We pray that he open our ears, and we may hear him when he speaks to us, and so that we may act upon his instructions. May He inspire us to passionately do his will and let his light shines through us.

Lord Jesus, help me faithfully obey when I hear you.

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