RTW May 19
NOTE: Running another fan favorite from the archives… Thank you again for your grace.
The Prayer That Doesn’t Anger God
O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, how long will you be angry with our prayers?
Psalm 80:4
My Takeaways
Something Old
The Prayer that does not anger God
- How?
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” (NIV) (Matthew 6:5-13) For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
- Who?
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27
- When?
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Something New
Khaw-mates (haw-mates) sour, grieved, pungent
Something To Do
Don’t provoke God with my actions, so He will not be angered with my prayers.
My Takeaways: Difficult, that’s how I feel about the Psalms that I read today. I wondered what do I do with this information? So I asked myself what does God want to share with me today?
Something Old: The Psalms are really quite amazing. David and the other writers had an incredible understanding of God- his character and what he is like. They had an incredible intimacy with God. Just think, they didn’t even have access to what we have. I mean seriously how much of the Bible did these writers even have at the time that they wrote these Psalms? I am blessed with the Old and New Testament, but I’m certain that I cannot even hold a candle to the depth of their spiritual life. When I read the book of Psalms it helps me to grow into a deeper, genuine relationship with God. When I read the Psalms I understand God’s everlasting love and forgiveness.
Something New: Psalm 81 stood out for me today. Numerous times throughout the Psalms the Psalmist refers to God as “the God of Jacob.” As Asaph did today. Why not “the God of Abraham” or “the God of Isaac?” Asaph must have spent a lot of time meditating on God’s ways with a stubborn Jacob and a stubborn nation. He must have written this Psalm after pondering over the truths he learned.
“Sing praises to God our strength” (81:1). I will never be stronger than God. Real strength comes from submitting to the Lord God, maker of heaven and earth.
“Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy task. . You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud” (81:6-7a). No distress is too big for God to handle, but all distress is too big for me to handle.
“I tested you at the waters of Meribah” (81:7b). God allows me to do without so that I will understand just how small I am.
” Listen to me, all my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me! You must never have a foreign God; you must not bow down before a false god. But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around” (81:8, 9, 11). I must willfully, intentionally set my heart to seek the Lord.
(81:10, 12-16)-God waits to bless me when I am obedient.The problem is not God, but my evil heart of unbelief.
Asaph recognizes the importance of self-reliance and disobedience. I think by understanding Jacob’s life and God’s interaction with him, he was able to put together this Psalm and by doing so he has revealed some great truths to me.
Something To Do: Celebrate God’s greatness. Allow God to affect my daily decisions. Worship God for what he has done for me, my family, and my country. God is the God of Jacob I must always run to Him.