Faith Capsule: God answers before we call on Him.

2 Samuel 22:1-25

Are you still calling on Him? It is not too late in the year to give up. Keep up with Him in your expectation and know it that He hears you.
What a mighty, gracious and merciful God we serve! God was speaking in the book of Isaiah, “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) God is true indeed. King David testifies to the truth when he stated, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:4) David’s kind of praise is a celebrated praise; a boastful full praise. By virtue of his kind of praise, he was sure that his call had been answered by God who answers before we call on Him. David’s approach is evidence to the truth that God is not only worthy of our contemplative praise (thoughtful or meditative praise). David was rendering a boastful praise knowing that God had done it before asking. A boastful praise is rooted in understanding of God’s character of answering prayer before we call; boastful praise is celebrating what He has done or what He will do.
God also mentioned that “while we speak, He will hear us”. Indeed He heard the children of Israel speaking (not praying) in the face of challenging needs during their journey through the wilderness. It was rebellious speeches rooted in complaints. God responded by stating, “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you.” (Numbers 14:28) Unfortunately for the Israelites it was negative speech; it was rebellious speech whereby they were rejecting God for His mercy that brought them out of bondage of over four hundred years.
It is very important to always know what we are asking for before opening our mouth or our heart in prayer and speech. There is no safer place in speaking than speaking positive at all times regardless of the negative before us. The same word of God declares to us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) Often time we have no idea who is before us whenever we speak out positive or negative. As a result, the word of God also warns, “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:6) It is worth not saying negative than saying it and claiming mistake for excuse. Before God there is no excuse that counts.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of understanding as you journey through life.