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Psalm 145:18 - God Is Near All Who Call On Him In Truth.

Psalm 145:18 (KJV) The LORD is nigh unto all 
them that call upon him, to all that call upon 
him in truth. 

Psalm 145:18 NCV The Lord is close to 
everyone who prays to him.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

Prayer Partner
   When we pray for one another, we enter 
God's workshop, pick up a hammer, and help him 
accomplish his purposes. 
   My dad invited my brother and me to do 
something similar. The idea was born at our kitchen 
table. My brother was nine years old, and I was 
six. 
   As Dad worked on the plans to build a 
house for our family, we stood on tiptoe and 
peered over his shoulder. We peppered him with 
suggestions. Maybe a big window in the living room or a 
swing set in the kitchen. 
   "You boys want to help me?" he asked.
   Does a one-legged duck swim in circles? 
Do fish get wet? Of course we wanted to help! 
And so it was that my brother and I pedaled our 
bikes to the construction project on Alamosa 
Street every day after school. Elementary school 
seemed so elementary. Who had time for math and 
spelling? I needed to load kitchen tiles and pick up 
stray nails. I wasn't just a kid in grade school. 
I was a partner with my papa. 
   Our heavenly Father has invited us to be 
his partner too. 
   Dare we accept the invitation? [You Can 
Count On God by Max Lucado] 

COMMENTARY

Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the 
secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace 
can be substituted, and the health of the soul 
be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into 
immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and 
strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious 
experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in 
prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems 
convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual 
faculties lose their vitality, the religious 
experience lacks health and vigor.  {GW 254.4} 

If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing 
our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise 
to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in 
our religious life. Our prayers will take the 
form of a conversation with God as we would talk 
with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us 
personally. Often there will come to us a sweet, joyful 
sense of the presence of Jesus Prayer turns 
aside the attacks of Satan. {FLB 225.7} 

Call On Him
   When we're tempted to get discouraged, 
it's important to know that the Lord is near to 
all who call on him. He's not far away and busy; 
he's near. He wants to hear from us. He wants us 
to call on him with our needs.  
   Pastor Rick Warren says, "You get the 
power to keep going from God, by asking him to 
empower you, and trusting in him moment by moment." 
Asking is important; it's one of the ways we 
cooperate with him in pursuing the goals he has for 
us. God wants us to have a relationship with 
him, and asking for his help is a way of saying, 
"I need you. Please be involved in my life. 
   The psalms are full of passionate prayers 
calling on God for help. "Since you are my rock and 
my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and 
guide me" (Psalm 31:3). "Keep me safe, O God, I've 
run for dear life to you. I say to GOD, 'Be my 
Lord!' Without you, nothing makes sense" (Psalm 
16:1-2 MSG). These are models for us to follow. 
   Calling upon God with confidence deepens 
our relationship with him; he will always 
respond and renew us. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day 
Devotional] 

ILLUSTRATION 

   My youngest two boys host a magic show. 
They wear hats and capes from the costume trunk. 
A blanket curtain stretches across the arched 
doorway. Grandparents and the brothers are here. 
Lonny and I sit close and nibble popcorn our sons 
sold for twenty-five cents. 
   "Now a coin will appear in this bag," 
ten-year-old Isaiah says. He pokes his hand into an empty 
velvet pouch. 
   Twelve-year-old Gabriel waves a wand.
   There's magic mumble and a coin in the 
bag! 
   We clap like mad and the boys bow. Ask 
and receive. Goodness flows from the wand. I 
think about this as the magicians prepare the next 
trick. 
   I used to look at prayer this way.
   Back then, my needs were simple and the 
turnaround was fast. It seemed a whispered prayer 
brought a prompt response. A desirable outcome. An 
answer would appear like a toy rabbit in the bottom 
of a hat. Then life got tougher. 
   We worked through infertility. 
Miscarriage. Health issues and the heartbreak of a broken 
child. Our prayers became pleas, and the answers 
weren't wave-of-a-wand swift. Sometimes the answer 
looked different than we wanted it to. Sometimes 
the answer was "no." Often the answer was 
"wait." But I learned that prayer is so much more 
than an immediate solution. It's hearing the Lord 
speak through His Word. Or it's strength surging 
from the Spirit when our own is gone. Or the 
comfort of His presence when we cry Abba Father and 
know, despite our circumstance, that we're safe 
and secure. Suddenly, a worn deck of cards is 
fanned near my face. "Pick a card, any card," 
Gabriel says. I do. 
   A magician works his magic, but I know a 
sweeter thing. 
   Thank You, Lord, for Your intimate care. 
Amen. Shawnelle Eliasen [Walking in Grace 2021 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   I am as near as a whispered prayer: 
listening attentively even to your softest utterance. 
People who are in love like to be near each other - 
usually as close as possible. Often they whisper 
words of endearment to each other, words that no 
one else can hear. This sort of closeness, with 
hushed words of love, is always available to you in 
your relationship with Me. I am near to all who 
call on Me, even if your call is the faintest 
whisper. This promise is for all who call on Me in 
truth - who know Me as the Truth.  
   Of course, I respond also to silent 
prayers, but whispering your words can help you feel 
closer to Me. Hearing your own voice - however 
faintly - reinforces your connection with Me. It 
strengthens your awareness of My unseen Presence and 
draws you into My loving embrace. Although I 
rarely speak audibly to My children, you can hear 
My gentle whispers in your heart. Hear Me 
saying, "I am with you. I love you. I will never 
leave you or forsake you." (Psa. 145:18; John 
14:6; Jos. 1:5; 1Ki. 19:11, 12) [Jesus Today by 
Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Psalm 145:18 - God Comes Near With Unique 
Blessings As We Pray. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061228-1044.html 

Jeremiah 33 - Prayer Reveals Marvelous And 
Wonderful Things From God. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210716-1029.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657