The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Ps) March 18th

Psalm 116:1-19
1 I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I believed, even when I spoke:
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my alarm,
“All mankind are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the LORD
for all his benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ps 116:1–19). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

We should call upon the name of the LORD in every time of trouble pray praise and give thanks to him for all he has done for us. When we are in need of salvation or forgiveness we call to the Lord for mercy. When we are need of help or healing we call upon him for pity and healing. When we find ourselves in trouble or danger we call upon him for protection.

The LORD hears all who call upon his name. He hears our prayers and he will answer them. Sometimes it will be like the Gibeonites calling for help from their enemies and protection. Other times it may be like the Mother of the Sons of Zebedee and we need to be taught another lesson. What ever the answer may be God hears our prayers.

But God continues to teach us that all men are liars. I am sure most women will agree with this statement, but all mankind are liars. All of us have sinned and turned our backs on God. We have convinced ourselves at times God is unable to do something.

God is all powerful. God is all knowing. God is gracious and merciful and longs for all people to be saved. Therefore, God sent his only Son Jesus Christ into the flesh. Jesus Christ went to the cross to be lifted up for our healing. He suffered our penalty and curse for sin. He answers your prayer or request for forgiveness.