Hear my cry, O LORD God!

"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." -Psalm 5:3 [KJV]

In the Lord we all live, move, and have our being; therefore itis the indispensable duty of all men to call upon the name ofthe Lord in prayer. But what is a duty from nature andreason, is esteemed a rich privilege, an inestimable blessing,by the children of grace. The pouring-out of the Spirit ofgrace and supplication, is one of those spiritual blessingswherewith they are blessed in Christ Jesus. In the exercise ofthis, saints in all ages have experienced sweet fellowship andcommunion with God, and have been indulged with manymercies which they sought for from Him. "And this is theconfidence that we have in Jesus, that if we ask ANY THING according to His will, He heareth us."—1 John 5:14. 

This duty seems to be the first employ of David's heart. Hebegan the day in prayer: as soon as his eyes were favoredwith the morning light, he directed them to look up unto theLord: after his tongue had been locked up in silent sleep, thefirst sound of his voice breaks forth in address to his God.Why is this holy man's practice recorded? Doubtless it waswritten for our instruction; to remind us that it is sweet tobegin the day with God. Better to go from a throne of graceinto the business of life, than after worldly concerns haveintruded on our minds. Wisest to seek and serve our bestFriend first. But is not this an affecting truth? 

Though a throne of grace is ever accessible; though believers are always acceptable thereto in Christ; though we have the greatest encouragements to draw nigh to God; though we have so many strong corruptions, powerful lusts, and sinful passions, ever ready to break out, yet that we should be so often besetwith backwardness to prayer! May we not justly charge manyof the slips and miscarriages, sins and failings, the breakingsforth of our unholy tempers, to the neglect of this duty? Howcarefully oughtest thou, O soul, to begin the day with seekingthe power of the spirit to enable thee to mortify thy sins, andto live unto God. Thou complainest of deadness andbarrenness of soul; who can enliven and make thee fruitfulbut the dear Lord whom thou neglectest to cry unto? If thineoutward walk is a reproach unto thee, if the peace of thymind is frequently ruffled and disturbed through want ofpeace and power from Jesus, doth not thy closet testifyagainst thee, as too much neglected? May not this accusationbe justly charged upon us? "Ye have not, because ye asknot."—James 4:2. But our beloved invites; his command is for our blessing. "Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may befull."—John 16:24. 

William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.) 

 


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