“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth”
“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”
Psalms 17:1
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
Psalms 86:1
Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Psalms 142:1
With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
Psalms 43:1
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!
Psalms 140:12
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.
Psalms 61:1
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
Nehemiah 1:6
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
Hear these heart cries from men of God who did not think it shameful or weak to run to God for help. These cries are heart deep because there is something in their heart, mind and soul that places God first and their life dedicated to being a humble servant with a desire to worship, honor and glorify God. Note in contrast what Jesus said about those whose hearts were not – “this people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” How easy is it to give lip service to being a follower of God while our heart is so far away from living each moment of every day in His presence. God hears our cries for strength and protection but should that be the only time we turn our heart, mind and soul to Him. No it is not. Live each day with Him on your mind, in your heart flooding your soul.