Answered Prayer

I (David) will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly (continually) speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless (discouraged and humble) take heart (be glad). Come, (glorify or magnify) let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His Name together. I prayed to (cried out, inquired and sought) the Lord, and He answered (heard) me. He freed (delivered) me from all my fears. Those who look to Him (God) for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed (cried out to the Lord), and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the Angel of the Lord (God’s Presence) is a guard (encamps around); He surrounds and defends all who fear (worship and reverence) Him (God). Taste and see that the Lord is good (and kind). Oh, the joys of those (blessed) who take refuge in Him (God)!  Fear the Lord, you His godly people (saints), for those who fear (revere and worship) Him (God) will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in (seek and reverence) the Lord will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me (David), and I will teach you to fear (and trust) the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous (a desire to see many good days)? Then keep (or watch) your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil (and sin) and (spend your time to) do good. Search for (seek) peace, and work to (purse) maintain it. The eyes of the Lord (intently) watch over those who do right (righteous); His ears are open (attentive and gives attention) to their cries for help. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil; He will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues (saves) them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (broken); He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (humble and thoroughly repentant for their sins). The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue (delivers) each time. For the Lord protects (keeps) the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned (found guilty). Psalms 34:1-22 (NLT).

Psalms 34 is wisdom psalm filled with praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 34:1-7) that celebrates God’s care and protection of the godly (those who trust God) (Psalms 34:7; see also Exodus 14:19-20).  This psalm encourages everyone to seek God and place themselves under the protection of God’s angel (God’s Presence) (Psalms 34:8-14). God pays attention to those who call on and cry out to Him in prayer. The apostle Peter in the New Testament quotes Psalms 34:12-16 in his instructions for peaceful living (1 Peter 3:10-12).

Wisdom contains three main ingredients: “fearing the Lord” (Psalms 34:11), doing good (Psalm 34:14), and rejecting or fleeing evil (Psalm 34:13). God shows His concern for the wise by answering their prayers and rescuing them from their troubles (Psalm 34:15, 17-20), but He destroys the wicked and evil (Psalm 34:16, 21).  The godly might experience suffering and pain.  However, God promises He will deliver and save the godly while ultimately the wicked and evil will perish (Psalm 1:6; Psalm 34:15-16).

“Fear of the Lord” is a phrase frequently found in the Old Testament. However, this phrase does not necessarily mean we should be frightened of the Lord. “Fear of the Lord” gradually became a standard phrase for a good and healthy relationship with God. A good relationship with God begins with a reverent sense that God is all powerful and righteous. “Fear of the Lord” includes reverence, dependence, and respect for God that leads to a life of wisdom (Psalms 34:9-13; Psalm 51:17 see also Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10). Even more, “fear of the Lord” leads to a deep sense of security in an all-powerful, all-wise and all-knowing God. 

Blessings From God

 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect (guard, keep and watch) you. May the Lord smile on you (make His face shine on you, show you His kindness) and be gracious to (gift, kind, giving favor, have mercy on) you. May the Lord show you His favor (lift up His approving countenances on you, God look you full in the face, watch over you, look with favor on you, or turn His face toward you) and give you His peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in My Name, I Myself will bless them” (put or place My Name on them). Numbers 6:22-27 (NLT).

Another famous prayer from Numbers is the blessings of Numbers 6:24-26. This blessing is still used today in Jewish and Christian services to seek God’s divine blessing. Through the centuries, worshipers have found peace and comfort in this brief, simple yet profound prayer in Numbers 6:24-26.

This famous prayer sought health, wealth, fertility, and protection from God. This prayer is repeated in the language of Psalm 67:1, Psalm 121:3-8; Psalm 140:4; and Psalm 141:9 and similar to Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in John 17. These heartfelt prayers are still good models for prayer and for the blessings that God’s people can seek for themselves and others. The entire prayer emphasizes the Lord God as the true Source of all good things (e.g., food, water, health, children, and protection from enemies).

The prayer calls upon the Lord’s blessing by repeating His Name in each request. The repeating of God’s name reminds God’s people of His interest and involvement in their daily lives as the true Source of their blessings. This prayer was one way of asking for God's divine favor, peace, and wholeness to rest upon others. All God’s people need His grace, mercy, and compassion in this world (see also Psalm 31:16; Psalm 80:3, 7, 19).

Call On God!

This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it--the Lord is His Name: Call to Me (the Lord God) and I will answer you and tell (and show) you great and unsearchable things you do not know (and understand). Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NIV).

The Prophet Jeremiah urged the people to call out to God (Father, Son - Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit).  God hears and answers our humble, genuine and wholehearted cries for His help. He will show us great and mighty things. In fact, God promised the Prophet Jeremiah that he only needed to call upon to God for help and God would answer him (see also Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 58:9; Matthew 7:7). 

God can be trusted and He is ready to answer our prayers. However, we must call out to God with all our heart and totally rely on Him for His assistance. God could take care of our needs without our prayers. However, our prayers to God acknowledge that He alone is God and our true Help. Without God’s help, our efforts will fail. 

When we pray, we must repent and humble ourselves before our loving God.  As Creator, God is our real Source of wisdom, power, and strength (James 1:5-8). Rely and depend on the living God. God’s grace is all we need to survive (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13).

Daily Prinicples For Godly Living

"So now, with God as our witness, and in the sight of all Israel—the Lord’s assembly—I (David) give you (Solomon) this charge. Be careful to obey (listen, observe, study, and follow) all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance. And Solomon, my son, learn to know (acknowledge and accept) the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees (and searches) every heart and knows (understands) every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake (reject or turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever. So take this seriously."

1 Chronicles 28:8-10 (NLT).

Here in 1 Chronicles 28:8-10, David gives Solomon principles for godly living to guide him through life. These same principles equally apply to all followers of Jesus Christ. God’s promises to David, confirmed to Solomon, equally apply to Christians today. David instructed his son Solomon that God’s favor depended on Solomon obeying these principles and his wholehearted devotion to and faith in God. David’s message to Solomon and for all people today emphasized the importance of seeking, worshipping and serving the Lord God. David also appealed to Solomon to “be strong and courageous” in trusting God to provide and not to get discouraged (see 1 Chronicles 28:20-21).

Moreover, David instructed Solomon to be careful to obey study and follow all of God's commands. The teachings of Holy Scriptures are the keys to peace, security, joy, happiness, and justice. If we ignore God's teachings and will from the Holy Scriptures, our efforts and resources will fail. In addition, David encouraged Solomon to acknowledge, serve and know God consistently. David knew the importance of complete trust in God’s power, sovereignty, and justice and David knew that God would be faithful to His promises.

God Wants Obedience

What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience (listening) to His voice? It is better to obey (listen) than to sacrifice. It is better to listen (and submit) to God than to offer the fat of sheep. Disobedience (or rebellion) is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Pride (or stubbornness) is as bad as the sin of worshiping idols. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NCV).

The Lord God wants total obedience, allegiance and commitment from all people (see e.g., Psalms 40:6-8; Psalm 51:16,17; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33; Hebrews 10:8-9). The living God requires His people to obey His Word found in the Holy Bible and to sincerely worship Him as God. 

Besides, God rewards obedience and faithfulness with His blessings (see Deuteronomy 6:1-25; Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Psalm 115:13; Isaiah 30:19-26; 1 Peter 3:9). Obedience and faithfulness to God brings blessings (see Leviticus 26:3-13; Deuteronomy 6:4-11; Deuteronomy 28:1-14), Throughout Old Testament, King David’s faithfulness for God is held up as the model for godly obedience for everyone to follow (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22; see also 1 Kings 14:8). Even more, the Lord Jesus Christ was obedient in all things (Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8; Hebrews 10:5-7).

Nevertheless, disobedience and unfaithfulness to God leads to His punishment, conviction, and judgment (see Leviticus 26:14-39; Numbers 20:12-13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 1 Samuel 15:13-23). For example, disobedience to God caused the northern kingdom (Israel) to fell, suffer drought (1 Kings 17:1-7), famine (1 Kings 17:12; 18:2), and war (1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 15:6-7, 16, 32; 1 Kings 20:1-34; 1 Kings 22:29-36).

God blesses those who have humble, obedient, faithful and repentant hearts (1 Chronicles 29:10-20). The right heart attitude that seeks the Lord God in prayer brings His blessings (1 Corinthians 11:27-32). God is always willing to forgive and heal those who repent. Repentance brings God’s restoration, healing and reconciliation. People who seek and follow Jesus Christ’s obedient example (Philippians 2:12-13) and King David’s obedient example can anticipate God’s fullest and riches blessings (2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 John 2:24).

Do The Old Testament Apply To Christians?

“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I [Moses] am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2 (NLT).

The Holy Bible has 66 Books (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament). These Books of the Holy Bible are called Canon. The Holy Bible contains the complete the Word of God that He intended for people to have written through the working of the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 4:2; Matthew 15:3-9; John 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 22:18-19). The Holy Bible primarily reports God’s great acts in redemptive history. There is no need for more words of the Holy Bible after the New Testament because there is finality to the Word of God in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).

The Holy Bible is more than lists of dos and don’ts. Instead, the Holy Bible is God-breathed and not merely human words. Most important, the Holy Bible gives God’s expectation for all people to obey. If God’s Word is obeyed faithfully, God will bring His richest blessing to His people. Obedience to God’s Word leads to an abundant and meaningful life (Deuteronomy 10:8-9) and reveals God’s grace to the whole world. Our life depends on obeying God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:16, 32-33). God's Word is designed to guide and lead all people toward life-styles that are beneficial, healthy, decent, honorable, and devoted to God.

God’s Word is embodied most prominently in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21) and the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). All other laws and regulations of God are interpretations and applications of the Ten Commandments and the Shema. The Ten Commandments and the Shema are the heart of God's Word and are just as applicable today as they were over 2000 years ago. Moreover, Jesus Christ also taught His followers to obey the Ten Commandments and the demands of the Shema (see Matthew 22:37-40) as an expression of commitment and love to Him as God (see Matthew 5:17-19; John 14:15-21).

Jesus Christ as God perfectly obeyed the Word of God and modeled the Word’s true intent. If you follow and obey Jesus Christ, you are obeying God’s Word (John 1:1)!

Faith In God

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering Him (Jesus). Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17 (NLT), see parallel references at Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16.

In this story, Jesus teaches that God opens His Kingdom (or heart) to everyone who accepts, welcomes and depends on Him as God. Jesus teaches that entrance into the Kingdom of God requires childlike faith, trust, allegiance and dependence on God and not one’s self-effort, education, sophistication nor riches (see also Luke 18:18-30). 


Jesus welcomed little children because they have the kind of attitude needed to approach God. Little children approached God with attitudes of truth, eagerness, humility, acceptance, dependence, faith, and complete trust in Him for their help and needs. Like little children, we must also approach God (Father, Son-Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit) with simple and childlike trust in Him as our God. We do not need to understand all the mysteries of the universe to accept God; it should be enough to know that God loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin. 


Our God promises to provide all our needs. "What is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke 18:27 - NIV)."  With God, all things are possible (see Matthew 19:23-30; Mark 10:23-31). God blesses people who trust and rely on Him (see also Luke 18:28-30).