From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (Ps. 18:6)

There is perhaps nothing more comforting when we are in distress than to have someone who cares enough to listen and understand. Each of us needs people in our lives who can lend a listening ear when we most need it. And we need to be ready to offer a listening ear to others in their time of need. When David found himself in distress, he cried out to the Lord and discovered that he served a God who listens to His people.

Tradition says that David wrote this psalm when he was on the run from King Saul. He had been anointed by Samuel as Saul’s successor, which in Saul’s mind made him public enemy number one. We can only imagine how desperate David’s situation must have felt at times. At those times, he cried out to God. And David felt absolute assurance that his voice reached God’s ears in His holy temple. Rather than attempting to take matters into his own hands, David trusted in God, and God acted to thwart David’s enemies.

The same God hears and answers your prayers today. He might not do so in such a dramatic way as He did for David. Then again, He might. Either way, we can be sure that God hears our voice in His temple. And often we understand best that God listens when His people listen.

Be “God’s ears” for someone in your life.

Kevin Scott is a pastor, acquisitions editor, and author of ReCreatable. He lives in Noblesville, Indiana, with his wife and three children.