Psalm 22:24-25

second-coming224 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; 

and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, 

when he cried to him. 

25 From thee comes my praise in the great congregation; 

my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 

When the afflicted cry to Him, He heres their cry. We forget this because in general we no longer experience great affliction. True, loved ones die, jobs are lost, houses go into default, however we no longer face the fire, dungeons, and swords that the father’s of our faith were often exposed to. Our poverty is spiritual and not economic. Our afflictions are self inflicted.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. 2Cor. 1:8 

For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 2Cor. 4:17

. . . for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. 2Cor. 8:2

. . . sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. Heb. 10:33

We to are told to follow our Lord’s example and care for the afflicted. We can only meet physical needs He can meet spiritual , emotional and physical needs.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 

From thee comes my praise, Our praises come from him because we are responding to His great work of removing our afflictions. This praise is to be made in the great congregation. In the New Testament the congregation or ekklesia was translated into church erroneously. We are not a building or a place, we are a congregation, free to move about and make disciples where ever we go. (See Also: Ekklesia)

Vows must be payed. We often forget that a true vow is made publicly before witnesses and paper work is signed. The only such vow many of us ever make is a marriage vow. Although there are preachers out there that encourage people to do such foolish things as make a vow to read the Bible everyday, unless there is signed papers with witnesses it is not considered a vow.

FYI: The only vow in the Bible that does not have such witnesses is the Vadar covenant in. [Gen 15 c.f. Jer. 34:18-19; Song 2:17] The blood of the animals was the witness. (See Also: The Vadar Covenant)

Those who fear him. Many today have lost their fear of God. The Spiritual Leaders  of the post modern church have made God into some kind of buddy or myth. There is no fear so there is no wisdom.

Teach me thy way, O LORD, that I may walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name. Psa. 86:11 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever! Psa. 111:10

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