Incline Your Ear

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:2).

My wife and I have raised four children. One of the things we learned as a parents is that children are easily upset. Because of their immaturity and short-sightedness, they fret about things of relatively little consequence, at least from my perspective.

But how do you suppose I reacted when my children were devastated by some insignificant matter, from my perspective? Did I tower over them from my 6’6″ frame and tell them to get over it? Of course not! I would kneel down, get on their level, and offer comfort, understanding, and perspective.
I say that to say this — while doing a word study last night on the word, “incline,” I learned that it meant “to turn toward,” “to bend down.” The significance of this doesn’t surprise me, but it reinforces what I already know about the God I serve. He is a good God, a loving father, who shows compassion on his children.

From God’s perspective, the things that upset me and discomfort me must be trivial. However, he doesn’t tower of me as “God Almighty,” telling me to get over it. No, He “inclines” his hear toward me. Or to say it another way, he bends down toward me as a loving father would, to hear, sympathize, and help me with my concerns, as trivial as they may be.

Friends, have you ever felt all alone? Have you ever wondered if there was anyone who understood what you are going through? Do you feel like there is no help or hope for your situation? If so, may I remind you that you serve a loving and compassionate father who is willing to incline his ear to your prayers.