PRÉCIS ON THE CRY OF THE AFFLICTED FROM THE CATACOMBS TO A FAITHFUL GOD WHO HEARS AND HEEDS

SCRIPTURE. “For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither has He hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard.” – PSALM 22:24, AMPC

KEY TERM: “HEARD.” ‘Shama’ [שָׁמַע]: “A primitive root meaning, ‘To hear intelligently, with rapt attention and obedience [to His own Word and character];’ to consent to consider [the cry]; to give ear to, to regard; to bear witness; to perceive by the ear an utterance or sound [directed toward Him]; to listen and give heed to; to hear with a predisposition to forgive [or render aid].”

QUOTATION. “Put your faith, hope, and trust in God. Do not look at your circumstances. ‘Commit yourself to doing what He requires of you [no matter what!].’ Cling to the Promises in His Word. Then when desperation pulls at your heart, you can cry out to Him, knowing that He hears your every word and will answer and provide the encouragement you need to hold out in the face of adversity.” ― CHARLES F. STANLEY, How to Let God Solve Your Problems: 12 Keys for Finding Clear Guidance in Life’s Trials, 2008; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted’ – This expresses the belief that his prayer had been heard. The fact that he had been thus heard is here assigned to be the ground or reason for the exhortation in the previous verse, addressed to all the pious. The Lord had heard his prayer, and this was a reason why others should also confide in the Lord and feel assured that He would likewise hear their prayers.

‘Neither hath He hid His face from him’ – That is, ‘permanently, constantly, finally, completely.’ He has not wholly abandoned me, but though He seemed to forsake me, it was for a time only; and His friendship has not been ultimately and forever withdrawn. It was indeed the foundation of all the petitions in this Psalm that the Lord had hid His face from the sufferer (Psalm 22:1); but, from this verse, it seems that it was only for a time. That which he passed through was a Temporary Darkness, succeeded by the clear manifestations of the Divine Favor. The Lord heard his prayer; the Lord showed that He had not utterly forsaken him.

‘But when he cried unto Him, He heard’ – Showing that now he had the evidence and the assurance that his prayer had been heard. As applicable to the Redeemer on the Cross, this means that though the Darkness seemed to continue until death, yet it was not an utter forsaking. His prayer was heard; His work was accepted; the great object for which He came into the world would be accomplished; He Himself would rise triumphantly from His sufferings; and the cause which He came to establish, and for which He died, would finally prevail in the world.” – ALBERT BARNES, Notes on the Old and New Testament, 1834; edited

DK’S TAKE. I am deeply grateful for this powerful exhortation today (July 10, 2024), as I found myself ‘Down in the hallows,’ if you take my meaning. The details don’t matter, only the too often general case that for the followers of Christ, there are reserved for them great victories but also great affliction – depending on His Agenda for our matriculations in and for battle.

The Comfort is found in the palpable ‘Knowing’ that He is not only there, but with us, all around us, in front of us and behind us, waging Holy War for us twenty-four hours per day, without letup. And that after we suffer for a little while, He will again revive and strengthen and enable us to reengage the fight, fully refreshed as if we had not previously lacked at all.

ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE PRAYER FOR BATTLE. Sometime in the 11^th Century, St. Patrick, the Romano-British “Apostle of Ireland” penned this brilliant, utterly Militant Confession. Preceded by five “I bind unto myself’s” of the many Imprecatory Promises of our Authority in Christ, then two “Against’s” in which he enumerated the Enemy’s manifestations he was about to conquer.

Then his Classic Conclusion:

“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Amen.”

He is, therefore, both the Reason and Means by which we too are to Endure and Conquer. And why He ultimately receives the praise and the honor for all of it, beloved.