The God Who Hears and Strengthens - Psalm 138 : 8

Psalm 138 is one of the most encouraging Psalms.  It is written by David.  He is a man after God's own heart.  David is praising God for answering his prayers.  This Psalm is filled with some amazing truths. In this Psalm, verse 3 is my favorite one. 

Psalm 138:3 - “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.”

This Psalm is not only encouraging.  It is also inspiring.  It speaks of whole hearted praise for God, worship of His holiness, God's loving kindness and truth, the power of God's word, God's ways, and so much more.  

This verse highlights two blessings that came when he cried out to the Lord:

1.  “In the day when I cried out, You answered me”

David acknowledges that God heard and responded to his prayer. The answer may not always come in the way or timing we expect, but God listens to the cries of His people. God is always there for me, I just need to seek Him. God answers prayers.  It may not always how we think He will answer, or how we think He should answer, but God hears our prayers, and He answers our prayers.  

God is attentive to the prayers of those who seek Him sincerely.

2.  “And made me bold with strength in my soul”

God did more than answer David's request—He strengthened him inwardly. The Hebrew idea here points to courage, confidence, and renewed strength in the inner person. David's circumstances may not have changed immediately, but his heart changed. God gave him the courage to face his challenges.

God makes me bold.  Proverbs 28:1 tells us that "the righteous are bold as a lion".  True boldness comes from Christ.  D.L. Moody once said, "When we find a man meditating on the words of God, that man is full of boldness and is successful." God provides strength for my soul.  God is more capable of bringing me through anything.  There is an incredible promise in Psalm 27:14 -Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. God will provide the strength you need for whatever you're facing.  Note, It doesn't say He'll remove the problem in front of you, but He will.  He will provide the strength you need to come through it.  

One of God's greatest answers to prayer is the strength He gives us to endure, trust, and continue faithfully.  God's answer to prayer is not only seen in what He does around us but also in what He does within us. He strengthens the soul, replaces fear with courage, and gives confidence to continue trusting Him.

We serve an amazing God, and He longs to have a relationship with us.  In the bible, there are many encouraging Psalms.  They are written by various authors who faced various challenges and received various blessings, throughout their lives.  All we need to do is cry out to Him.  Wherever you are today, God is there for you.  He will answer your prayers, He will make you bold, and He will provide you with strength for your soul.  Because our God is Good.  

 Prayer:

"Lord, thank You for hearing my prayers. Strengthen my soul with Your power, fill me with courage, and help me trust You in every situation. Amen."