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29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Such is the LORD's difference between these two classes! He is equally near to them both in his essence.† But in his favor he is far from the wicked,† and rejects their prayer.† He is near to the righteous, and heareth them.† His distance from the wicked is to their hearts’ desire.† Yet does he sometimes make them groan,† as they will sink hereafter, under its everlasting curse.† But who can estimate the grace, that calls these “stout-hearted, that are afar off, to hearken, and brings near righteousness and salvation to them”?† Inexpressible must be the guilt of despising such abounding mercy.†
But to the righteous, he is most graciously near.† He heareth their breath, when there is no voice;† their desire and weeping, when there are no words;† their stammering, when there is no gift.† Wonderful indeed is it, that he should hear such prayers, polluted as they are in their very breath. Yet does our compassionate High Priest wait for these vile offerings at the door of the oracle; and in his golden censer they appear spotless before the throne.† For his sake we are not only borne with, but accepted. Our sighs are the breathings of faith. Our broken words his own Spirit has indited. (Romans 8:26, 27.) How then can he turn away from them?
Yet the enemy will suggest the doubt. Does he hear? Well he knows, what a shelter prayer is from his assault; and gladly would he drive us from it. ‘Am I righteous?’ Be it so, that thou art not. But is not thine advocate so? (1 John 2:1.) Then put thy prayer in his hands. Thou canst not doubt his access to God; that the ear, if it be shut to thee, is open to him. “Wouldst thou be spoken for to the king?” (2 Kings 4:13.) Stammer out the prayer to thy Friend — “O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.” ‘It would tire the hands of an angel to write down the pardons that God bestows upon one penitent sinner.’†
‘But I see no answer.’ Correct the errors of sense by faith in his word, which declares, whatever appearances may be — He heareth. Judge not by thy feelings or conceptions, but by his own unchangeable word, by the manifestation of his name (Psalm 65:2); that he will refuse thee nothing that is really good; that thou dost obtain, if not what thou desirest, yet what upon the whole is best and fittest for thee. Have patience with God. Dictate nothing. Commit thy will to him. Say not — “I will that thou give me by and by.” (Mark 6:25.) Leave time and all to him. If he does not answer in thy time, he will in his own far better season. (Isaiah 30:18.) He has clearly shewn his Sovereign appointment, that those who pray must wait his time, and his will. (Luke 18:1-7.)
Yet let us look out, and see how our prayers speed. The husbandman looks for his harvest. And when we have sown in a fruitful soil — in the very bosom of God — shall not we look for the return, wait in hope, strengthen our heart in the Divine promises, and never cease to look up, till the answer come down? No prayer will be without God's fruit.
Study the character of God. It is not the judge on his seat; or the king on his throne of state; but the Father in the full flowing of his love. Is not this attraction? In the sharpest trial, not all the world, not all the power of hell, can bar thine access to him. No child runs to his father with such a confidence as thine. Never will he chill the heart, that throws itself upon his love.
Then honour him in this confidence. Shew that you really mean what you say. Bring to him no general petitions (the signs of an heartless frame), but definite objects. Tell him what you want, and all that you want. Shew that prayer is no penance, or irksome endurance, but a pleading exercise; a conscious reality, a living soul speaking to a living God. Prize his presence supremely — the pleasures of the closet above all privileges. No creature, not even the company of Apostles, can compensate for the loss of him. Wrestle in prayer, but sit still in faith. He has bound himself by his own promises. And the fulfillment of them in answer to prayer will quicken confidence and praise.
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