0460. 452. “Incline Thine Ear”

452. “Incline Thine Ear”

The meaning of the Hebrew word for “incline” is “to stretch out,” that is, to turn aside and give special attention to the suppliant. Natah is rendered “stretched out” in Exo_6:6; Isa_9:12, Isa_9:17, Isa_9:21; and “turn aside” in Isa_30:11.

1. Confidence. “Thou wilt hear me, O God: incline Thine ear unto me” (Psa_17:6). Confidence in God will secure communications from Him. The open hand of faith is filled with the answered request.

2. Salvation. “Incline Thine ear unto me, and save me” (Psa_71:2). A consciousness of danger will cause the cry for deliverance from it.

3. Strength. “Incline Thine ear… for my soul is full of trouble… I am a man that hath no strength” (Psa_88:2-4). A strengthless condition makes way for the Lord’s strengthful conquests.

4. Trouble. “I am in trouble: incline Thine ear unto me” (Psa_102:2). “Call upon Me in the day of trouble.” When we couple our prayers with God’s promises, we command God’s attention and deliverance.

5. Forgiveness. “O my God, incline Thine ear… forgive” (Dan_9:18-19). We should not only cry for personal forgiveness, but for national forgiveness too. We are united in the whole, and have a personal responsibility.

6. Victory. “Incline Thine ear, O Lord… save… smote” (Isa_37:15-20, Isa_37:36). The munitions of prayer are more effective than the manufacturers of earth.

7. Counterpart. “Incline thine ear” (Psa_45:10). To incline to the Lord with the heart is to love Him—Jos_24:23; to His testimonies is to obey Him—Psa_119:36; and to Himself is to respond to Him—Isa_55:3.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH