Praise - the Answer's on the Way!

Before our prayers are answered is often the best time to give thanks. David did that in Psalm 22. 

David began, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But after he had poured out his troubles crying for deliverance, he simply said, "You have answered me" (Psalm 22:21 NKJV).

A comment in The Wesley Bible states that these words are the turning point. David made this statement as a declaration of fact, not an unfulfilled hope. The deliverance is still in the future, but it is certain to come. David knew God had heard, and his mood changed from desperation to glorious confidence.

There are times I leave my prayer time and declare, "It is done" meaning "I know God has heard so the answer is on the way." The Spirit is perfectly capable of letting our spirit have assurance that He has heard. When we sense that witness, it is time to praise.

"I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil" (Psalm 119:162). The psalmist is not saying he is rejoicing because the battle is won, but because He believes a promise from God. Great spoil speaks of the wealth taken after the battle. When we believe a promise God has given us, we have the same joy we would have if the battle were already won. 

Dear Lord, we give thanks for the prayers that we know You have heard. We rejoice because we are confident You are working even though we cannot see it.

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see....So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him"  (Hebrews 11:1, 6 NLT).