Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
–Psalm 4:1
God will not answer us if we do not call. Train your mind so that your first response when trouble comes is to call out to the Lord! The literal meaning of the Hebrew word translated “distress” is a tight or narrow place. Do you feel constricted or boxed in by your troubles? Cry to God. In the past He has given relief; certainly He can do it again. Literally, the Hebrew says, He has “enlarged for me” or “made room for me” (cf. Gen. 26:22; Ps. 18:36).
Because of His grace, He will hear your prayer. You don’t stand before God with your accomplishments, your own righteousness, or your reputation. Those things are not adequate to earn you a hearing with God. Come before Him weak and needy, and the God of grace will listen.
Oh what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
