I. God Answers Prayer So We Can Praise Him

1 when David changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise always shall be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear and be glad.

3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him, and were filled with light; and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard, and saved him out of all his troubles.

II. God Answers Prayer of those Who Fear  Him

A. Fear Involves Trusting God For Knowing Best How And When To Fulfill My Wants And Desires

7 The Angel of the LORD camps round about those who fear Him, and delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. 9 O fear the LORD, His holy ones; for there is nothing lacking to those who fear Him.

10 The young lions lack, and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

Ps 84 11 LORD is a sun and shield...will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

B. Fear Involves Limiting My Natural Desires To Do What God Wants (+,-)

11 Come, listen to me, my sons; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Who is the man that desires life, and loves days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile. 14Depart from evil and do good; ...seek peace and pursue it.

Ps 15:1 dwell? 2 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; 3 he does not backbite with his tongue, nor do evil to his neighbor, nor take up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 in whose eyes the reprobate is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD; he has sworn to his hurt, and does not change it; 5 he has not put out his money at interest, nor has he taken a  bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall not be moved forever

III. God Is More Than Sufficient For Everything That Concerns Us

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted; and saves those who are of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Jn 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you...16:33  These things I have spoken that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1Pe 4:19  Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous shall be held guilty.

22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants; and none of them who trust in Him shall be desolate.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What should we do when we start to think that we are lacking something good? Why would God hold out on us?

2. Why does God let the righteous suffer affliction? Is it possible to avoid affliction altogether? Why do we try to?

3. If someone isn’t fearing God as outlined above, and they get delivered from trouble, should they thank God?

4. If someone is fearing God as outlined above, and they get don’t get delivered from trouble, should they complain to God?

5. What should we do while awaiting God’s deliverance? How?