Hearing the Humble: A New Year’s Reflection

 

Summary

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it is a time for both reflection and anticipation. The words of Psalm 10:17 remind us of the profound truth that God hears the desires of the humble. This is not just a historical fact but a present reality and a promise for the future. Throughout all ages, God has been attentive to the humble heart, discerning desires that are often too deep for words. Whether in moments of joy or in times of trial, God’s ear is attuned to the unspoken longings of our hearts. This assurance should fill us with hope as we enter the new year, knowing that our desires, when aligned with humility, are heard by the Almighty.

The essence of prayer is not in eloquent words but in the sincere desires of the heart. Even when we cannot articulate our needs, God understands and responds to the desires that spring from humility. This is a comforting thought, especially for those who feel inadequate in their expressions of faith. God values the heart's intent over the form of our prayers. As we move forward, let us cultivate desires that are humble, seeking not our own glory but the glory of God in all things.

Moreover, we are assured that God will prepare our hearts for the journey ahead. Whether it is for receiving more of Christ, performing duties, or enduring trials, God promises to equip us. This preparation is not just for our benefit but for His glory. As we face the unknowns of the coming year, we can trust that God will ready us for whatever lies ahead, whether it be service, suffering, or even death.

Finally, we are encouraged to be persistent in prayer, knowing that God will cause His ear to hear. This year, let us be fervent in our intercessions, confident that God will respond. Let us pray for personal growth, the salvation of others, and a revival in our communities. As we gather at the communion table, may our hearts be prepared to meet Christ and be satisfied in Him.

Key Takeaways:

- God Hears the Humble: The Lord is attentive to the desires of the humble, discerning even those that are unspoken. This truth is a source of comfort and assurance, reminding us that our deepest longings are known to God. [05:08]

- The Essence of Prayer: True prayer is the soul's sincere desire, whether expressed or unexpressed. God values the heart's intent over the form of our prayers, emphasizing the importance of humility in our spiritual life. [06:36]

- Preparation of the Heart: God promises to prepare our hearts for the journey ahead, equipping us for service, suffering, and even death. This divine preparation ensures that we are ready for whatever the new year may bring. [21:12]

- Persistent Prayer: We are encouraged to be fervent in prayer, confident that God will cause His ear to hear. This year, let us be diligent in our intercessions, trusting in God's readiness to respond. [28:11]

- Desiring God's Glory: Our desires should be aligned with seeking God's glory in all things. Whether in personal growth or the salvation of others, our prayers should reflect a longing for God's name to be honored. [18:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction: Retrospect and Prospect
- [00:31] - The Importance of the Sabbath
- [01:09] - A Good Start to the Year
- [02:15] - A Text for All Times
- [03:05] - The Blessed Fact: God Hears the Humble
- [04:35] - The Present and Future Reality
- [05:24] - Beyond Words: The Heart's Desire
- [06:36] - The Essence of Prayer
- [07:46] - God's Understanding of Our Needs
- [09:25] - The Humble Desire
- [12:29] - Aligning Our Desires with God's Will
- [14:36] - Prayers for Others
- [18:22] - Desiring God's Glory
- [20:06] - Assurance of Heart Preparation
- [28:11] - Assurance of God's Listening Ear
- [33:33] - Conclusion and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 10:17: "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 10:17, what does God do for the humble? How does this reflect His character?
2. In the sermon, what is described as the essence of true prayer? ([06:36])
3. How does the sermon describe God's preparation of our hearts for the journey ahead? ([21:12])
4. What assurance does the sermon give about God's readiness to hear our prayers? ([28:11])

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for God to hear the desires of the humble, even when they are unspoken? How does this impact one's understanding of prayer? ([05:08])
2. How might the idea that God values the heart's intent over the form of our prayers change the way one approaches prayer? ([06:36])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God prepares our hearts for service, suffering, and even death? How does this preparation serve His glory? ([21:12])
4. How does the sermon encourage persistence in prayer, and what are the expected outcomes of such persistence? ([28:11])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your desires were too deep to express in words. How can you trust that God hears those desires? ([05:08])
2. How can you cultivate a humble heart in your daily life, ensuring that your desires align with seeking God's glory? ([18:22])
3. What steps can you take to focus more on the sincerity of your heart rather than the eloquence of your words in prayer? ([06:36])
4. As you anticipate the coming year, what specific areas of your life do you need to trust God to prepare your heart for? ([21:12])
5. How can you be more persistent in your prayer life, especially when it comes to interceding for others and seeking personal growth? ([28:11])
6. Identify one area in your community where you can pray for revival. What specific actions can you take to support this prayer with your efforts? ([28:11])
7. Consider a desire you have that may not align with God's will. How can you seek to align this desire with God's glory and purpose? ([18:22])

Devotional

Day 1: God Listens to the Humble Heart
God is attentive to the desires of the humble, discerning even those that are unspoken. This truth is a source of comfort and assurance, reminding us that our deepest longings are known to God. The humble heart is one that recognizes its own limitations and seeks God’s guidance and support. In moments of joy or trial, God’s ear is attuned to the unspoken longings of our hearts. This assurance should fill us with hope as we enter the new year, knowing that our desires, when aligned with humility, are heard by the Almighty. [05:08]

Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Reflection: Think of a desire or longing you have that you have not shared with anyone. How can you humbly bring this before God today, trusting in His attentive ear?


Day 2: The Heartfelt Essence of Prayer
True prayer is the soul's sincere desire, whether expressed or unexpressed. God values the heart's intent over the form of our prayers, emphasizing the importance of humility in our spiritual life. Even when we cannot articulate our needs, God understands and responds to the desires that spring from humility. This is a comforting thought, especially for those who feel inadequate in their expressions of faith. As we move forward, let us cultivate desires that are humble, seeking not our own glory but the glory of God in all things. [06:36]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to find the right words in prayer. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in your current prayers?


Day 3: Divine Preparation for the Journey Ahead
God promises to prepare our hearts for the journey ahead, equipping us for service, suffering, and even death. This divine preparation ensures that we are ready for whatever the new year may bring. Whether it is for receiving more of Christ, performing duties, or enduring trials, God promises to equip us. This preparation is not just for our benefit but for His glory. As we face the unknowns of the coming year, we can trust that God will ready us for whatever lies ahead. [21:12]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel unprepared. How can you invite God to equip you for this challenge, trusting in His promise to prepare your heart?


Day 4: The Power of Persistent Prayer
We are encouraged to be fervent in prayer, confident that God will cause His ear to hear. This year, let us be diligent in our intercessions, trusting in God's readiness to respond. Persistent prayer is not about wearing God down but about aligning our hearts with His will and purposes. As we pray for personal growth, the salvation of others, and a revival in our communities, we can be assured that God is listening and will respond in His perfect timing. [28:11]

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"

Reflection: Identify a specific prayer request you have been bringing to God. How can you commit to persistently praying for this, trusting in God’s timing and response?


Day 5: Aligning Desires with God's Glory
Our desires should be aligned with seeking God's glory in all things. Whether in personal growth or the salvation of others, our prayers should reflect a longing for God's name to be honored. This alignment requires a shift from self-centered desires to those that seek the advancement of God’s kingdom. As we gather at the communion table, may our hearts be prepared to meet Christ and be satisfied in Him, desiring His glory above all else. [18:22]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a personal desire or goal you have. How can you reframe this desire to seek God’s glory, and what practical steps can you take to align it with His will?

Quotes

Lord thou Hast heard the desire of the humble I call this a very blessed fact first because it always has been a fact in all ages and in all places wherever there has been a humble heart that has lifted up its desire to God the Lord has heard that desire whether Jew or Gentile whether in the palace or in the Poor House whether in sickness or in health whether in poverty or in wealth whether in Life or in death no difference has ever been made if the desire has been a humble one from the first man who ever prayed down to this present time God has always been ready to hear and blessed be His holy name it is not only an old fact it is as much a fact tonight as it was when David first penned these words Lord thou Hast heard the desire of the humble at this very moment God's ear is hearing the beating of your hearts oh humble Soul Jehovah's heart discerns the throbbings of your desire though they are unexpressed in words. [00:36:00]

The essence of the whole matter the kernel of the nut is the desire of the heart not the utterance of the lip words without the desire are mere empty husks but the desire even without words is sweet to God and he accepts it can you catch the blessedness of this thought I say again before your desire takes a shape in which language could cover it God will hear it you sometimes can hear people's desires yourself many a mother hears her boy's desire he has gone to seea but before he went his mother packed his box she did not tell him all she put into it there are some things there that he has not seen yet and he will not find them till he searches to the bottom of the chest how did she know that he would desire those things because she foresaw the position in which he would be placed and the wants which would arise in such a case and she gathered from that foresight what her boy's desire would be. [00:07:20]

A humble man does not desire anything of God for his own honor he thinks too little of himself to wish to exalt himself and he Longs in all things to glorify God he desires his own salvation but he knows that he does not deserve it and he therefore gives God all the glory even while he rejoices in his own deliverance from going down into the pit he sings with top lady not to myself I owe that I oh Lord am thine free Grace hath all the shades broke through and cause the light to shine me thou Hast willing made thy offers to receive called by the voice that wakes the dead I come to thee and live a humble desire is one which leaves everything in God's hands the man who has it says now though I desire this it may be it is not a right desire Lord I desire only to desire what I ought to desire My Desire is that thy desire should be written on my heart that I may desire what thou desirest thy will be done in my soul in my body in my circumstances and in me in all respects. [00:11:48]

Lord save my children Lord convert my boys and girls I've tried to train them up for thee but I dare not hope hope that any teaching of mine will be effectual for their salvation unless thou Dost put thy hand to the work I cannot hear the beating of your hearts as you plead for your children I cannot hear the wife's desires as she inwardly cries Lord save my husband neither can I hear that sister's longing as she says within her spirit oh Lord let my sister live before thee may my brother learn to know Christ but though I cannot hear those desires and no human being can hear them God hears them Lord thou has heard the desire of the humble make yours a large desire beloved friends take in all your kins folk take in mine take in my hearers take in all this congregation take in this city of London and let the desires go up that God would save 10 T of thousands of souls for he will hear the desire of the humble. [00:14:50]

The best preparation for the future lies in having a heart prepared if you get all else prepared but the heart is not you have left the major part undone and if the heart be prepared and a good deal else unprepared things may yet come right in the end all gets right when the the heart is right out of the heart are the issues of life and those issues of Life are true and good when the heart is right God only can prepare the heart for that which is right he alone can prepare it for holy living and prepare it for happy dying and prepare it for eternity I want you to get hold of this assurance as a promise for you all through this year thou will prepare their heart how shall we understand this expression first God will prepare the heart of the humble to receive Christ oh says one I do not feel fit to come to Christ all the fitness that is wanted God will give you thou will prepare their heart you want to be empty to be broken to be wounded all this the spirit of God will work upon your conscience by the operation of the law of the Lord do not stand back from Christ because you are unprepared to come to him God will prepare you for christ as he has already prepared Christ for you. [00:20:39]

We shall need heart preparation for the many duties we shall have to perform for God look forward to them with trust in God those who examine the palms of the hand and pretend to foretell Futurity are fools those who believe them are not wise we cannot tell what a day may bring forth but we know that every day will bring its need of service well then God will prepare our hearts for it thou will prepare their heart I like to think that nothing shall come for me to do but God will fit me for it I may be called to work that I have never attempted before if so I shall have Grace given which I never had before you may change your condition of life this year my dear friend but you shall be prepared for that change you may have to emigrate to the other side of the world and find fresh duties awaiting you there but you shall be prepared for your new sphere of service you may be called from being a servant to be a master or you may have to come down in the world and from being a master you may have to become a servant yet whatever God shall put before you to do he will prepare your heart for it only plead this declaration in prayer and you may expect to have it fulfilled. [00:23:09]

It is wonderful to know how God gets his people ready for trouble when it is coming you remember what Solomon says of the wise woman she is not afraid of the snow for her household for all her household are clothed with Scarlet she has made such warm garments for them that she says Let the snow come if it likes they are prepared to resist the cold so God's wisdom and Grace will clothe us all with such warm garments of con consolation that when Trouble Comes we shall be fully prepared to bear it for Duty or for suffering thou will prepare their heart and are this year some of us may have to die many of our members passed away last year some dear sweet Souls the very pick of this church were taken up to heaven it may be my lot it may be your lot dear brother or sister to go home this year but we will fall back on this gracious Assurance thou will prepare their heart why it seems to me that if I can keep this word in my heart and on my tongue all this year nothing shall be able to disturb me I shall be like the man of whom it is written he shall not be afraid of evil Tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord thou wil prepare their heart and then therefore they shall not be afraid of all the enemies that can come against them thou shal not be afraid of sickness of famine or of death itself for God will prepare thy heart to meet it. [00:25:29]

The Lord will hear us soon sometimes when we pray the answer does not come directly pray again brother for if God has not caused his ear to hear yet he will cause his ear to hear the answer to your prayer shall come speedily do not postpone your expect expectations too long prepare to wait if God terries but be prepared for the reply if he does not t some Christians do the first but not the second they seem so ready to wait that God makes them wait oh prepare with such Vigor and earnestness when you are pleading for your own salvation or for the Salvation of others that God shall make haste and at once cause his ear to hear he will hear you soon expect during this year many Speedy answers to your prayers thou will cause thine ear to hear that means next I think that the Lord will hear us always he will as it were exert himself to hear your supplication th will cause thine ear to hear this is a blessed word for this new year my God how earnestly I will pray now now that I know I have thine ear. [00:28:19]

If I am permitted to pray then I will pray and if I may have whatsoever I Ask Of God In The Name of Jesus Oh I will ask do use your privilege in praying to the Lord for he will will cause his ear to hear if you had the ear of the great ones at court and could get whatever you liked I'm sure that you would use the privilege and now that you have the ear of the great king of kings oh ye intercessors ye who are the Lord's remembrances plead with him day and night and give him no rest till he establish until he make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth for he will cause his ear to hear you the Lord will always hear you sinner if you call upon him he will soon hear you he will effectually hear you when it is said thou will cause thine ear to hear does it not mean that the Lord will So Hear as to answer our petitions as a church we have prospered by prayer Glasgow flourished by the preaching of the word and the tab tacle has flourished by the prayers of Believers there has been the secret of our strength therefore let us still believe in the efficacy of prayer God does listen to the voices of his children he does regard the prayer of the humble he is moved by the desires of his own people let us then during this year be more in prayer than ever let us pray in faith pleading the precious blood of Jesus and the promises of God's word. [00:30:01]

There is need of a great Revival of religion the wave of the late Revival has gone and now we want another we have had a long winter spiritually we need to have an Awakening Springtime and a glorious summer and a golden autumn in the church let us pledge ourselves to pray for it and not merely pledge ourselves but really pray let us cry mightily till the Lord shall hear us and bring in tens of thousands who shall be the reward of the savior's sufferings and death the Lord bless you dear friends and make this year to be very rich in fruit bearing to God's glory in every one of us and as for such as were not saved when they came into the Tabernacle this evening I do trust that God will this very night make them to desire to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and that he will hear their desire and lead them to look to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the World As We who love the Lord come to the communion table we can use our text for I am sure the desire of the humble is that they may see Christ in the supper Lord thou Hast heard the desire of the humble thou wil prepare their heart oh it is sad to go to the Lord's table with an unprepared Heart Lord prepare our heart to come to thy banqueting table tonight and then thou will cause thine to hear th will grant us Grace to feed upon Christ and to be satisfied may it be so to every communicant the Lord bless you all for Jesus Christ's sake amen. [00:32:47]

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Transcript
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