“The Lord looked down from His holy place on high, He looked down from heaven to earth. He heard the groans of prisoners and set free those who were condemned to die.” – Psalm 102:19-20, Good News Bible

The Bible often attributes human traits or qualities to God in what is called ‘anthropomorphic’ use of words.

Of course, God is spirit and it is not expected that He has ears like humans.

By suggesting that God “hears,” the inspired writers are trying to convey the idea that God is aware of our thoughts, feelings, and prayers, and He’s actively paying attention to what is happening to His people – individually and communally.

This belief can be a source of comfort and reassurance as it suggests that we’re not on our own but that God is always present, especially when we feel desperate and overwhelmed.

“The Lord looked down… He heard the groans of prisoners,” says the psalmist in our meditation today.

Indeed, the Bible says the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

 In reference to His people in bondage in Egypt, the Bible says; “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob (Exodus 2:23-24).

Then He told Moses; “I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.”

Later, the people testified; “We cried out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression.”

Another testified; “In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came to His ears.”

All your prayers, petitions and groaning will be heard! It’s only a matter of time.

Ours the Lord who pays attention whenever we call upon Him!

He told Solomon; “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before Me.”

While on his deathbed due to a deadly disease, King Hezekiah received a message from the Lord: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”

Psalm 34:6 says; “This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles.” 

He adds; “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”

In another psalm, David testifies; “I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry….He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

He added in another psalm; “I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

In the New Testament, we see the same idea coming through. 

Luke 1:13 says; “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.’”

In reference to our Lord Jesus, Hebrews 5:7 says; “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

Listen; I might not know the situation you’re faced with right now – oppression, misery, toil, sickness, a family issue, or whatever.

However, I admonish you to continue calling upon the Lord.

Your prayers, petitions and groaning will be heard! It’s only a matter of time.

God says; “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”