Tag Archives: pray

No Signs from God

12 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalm 74, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 74

Verses 9-17

We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

But God is my King from long ago;
he brings salvation on the earth.

It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter (NIV).

Reflection

Do you watch for road signs? I’m inclined to say yes, of course I do. But if I am traveling through a familiar neighborhood or to a familiar location, I pay very little attention to road signs. After all, I know where I am going and how to get there. But put me in unfamiliar territory without a GPS, and the situation changes dramatically. I am hunting for road signs like a hungry hawk hunts for field mice. Every sign is spotted well in advance; the details are read and repeated to cement them into my memory. Landmarks and the appearance of the terrain are memorized for future reference. I do all this because I don’t like being lost.

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River Ice Chandelier — photo by David Kitz

In our reading from Psalm 74, the psalmist finds himself in unfamiliar territory. The nation has been invaded and the enemy has desecrated the temple. This is an enormous loss. But beyond the loss, there appears to be no way forward. The psalmist laments, “We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock you, God?”

When I am lost, I watch for signs. But in this situation God gave no signs. After the psalmist pours out his complaint before God, he does not stay there. He goes on to recall the miraculous works of God. He reminds God of His interventions into the affairs of humankind. He makes this bold personal declaration, “But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.”

As we pray for our nation, we would do well to pattern our prayers on Psalm 74.

Response: LORD God, you see the sins of our nation. Bring us back to you. You are the Almighty God. You do not change. Bring your salvation on the earth even as you did long ago. You are my King. Amen.

Your Turn: Why is it helpful to recall God’s mighty deeds in your life?

When I Groan

25 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

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Glory Behind the Cross – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

There is glory on the other side of the cross. Today’s photo illustrates that truth beautifully. The light of God shines beyond the pain and suffering of the cross.

Today is Good Friday, the day when Jesus hands and feet were pierced. Today through agony and blood, Jesus purchased my redemption. He groaned under the weight of the sins of the world. The psalmist expresses it this way:

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

We should never gloss over or rush by the horror of the cross. The cross carries the cost of our sins. There we see a full accounting for the horror of our sins. We ought to consider well the price of our blood-spattered redemption.

But glory be to God! Beyond the cross—on the other side—shines Jesus’ resurrection.

Response: LORD God, help me see your love for me through the suffering of Jesus. You suffered to bring me eternal joy. I bow my head in thanks. Amen.

Your Turn: How can there be glory in the cross—an instrument of death?

From Your Temple

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

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Beyond the Door – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

Today’s photo speaks powerfully to me. It shows the sunrise as seen through the open double doors of the country church where I grew up on the prairies. God is not only in his temple. His glory is shining forth across the earth and the sky.

When we are in distress, we can call out to God and He responds. Often He will give us a sign of His presence. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

Jesus is our example. In his great suffering he called out to his heavenly Father. And his Father heard and answered his prayer. But Jesus still had to endure the agony of the cross.

But thanks be to God! The glory of the resurrection lies beyond the suffering and beyond the open door. Before us is the door to eternal life that Jesus opened.

Response: LORD God, in my time of need I call out to you. In your mercy answer me, just as you answered the prayers of Jesus, your son. Give me a sign of your presence with me. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord answered your prayers from His temple?

You Give me a Song

23 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

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Night Song – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

If our day starts with prayer to the Lord, then it might well end with a song of thanks sung to Him. Between morning and evening, we experience the kindness of God. Our day is book-ended in communion with the LORD our Creator.

We can see this daily rhythm in today’s verse from the Psalms:

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

This is Holy Week and as we reflect on this sacred time, we should consider how Jesus spent this week. I am sure there was a rhythm to his days—days that were leading to the cross. Surely they were days marked by prayer and communion with his Father.

Punctuate your day with prayer. We know Jesus did just that.

Response: Living LORD God, I bring my songs of thanks to you. Day by day you are kind. Your greatest kindness was sending Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you incorporate prayer into the rhythm of your day?

Each Morning

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply (Psalm 5:3, CEV).

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Saskatchewan Sunrise – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

The sunrises every morning and pours its splendor across the sky. When we rise, do we pour out our prayers—our thoughts and hopes to God?

There is a beautiful humility in prayer. We don’t have the answer. We are waiting on God because He does. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply (Psalm 5:3, CEV).

People who pray are usually good at bringing requests to God, but are we good at waiting for His reply? I am often guilty of rushing into my day—rushing past the sunrise too busy to wait and appreciate.

Our Lord takes the time to listen to us each morning. How wonderful is that!

Response: LORD God, thank you for taking the time to hear our requests. I confess I need reminders to wait for your reply. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see what you are doing. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you learned to wait on God? How do we train ourselves to wait?

Willing Forgiveness

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

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Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

We are all familiar with the phrase: Well, I guess if I have to. It’s usually signals a lot of reluctance on the part of the speaker.

When we think about God, we may feel that since He is perfect and holy, He may be reluctant to forgive our many sins. Just the opposite is true and today’s verse from the Psalms makes this crystal clear.

You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

Jesus beautifully portrayed the love of our heavenly Father when he told the story of the prodigal son.

The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him (Luke 15: 20, CEV).

Our heavenly Father shows no reluctance to forgive.

Response: Father God, I come to you. Thanks for running to me when I repent and ask for forgiveness. I do not deserve such a loving response. It is beyond wonderful. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you seen God as reluctant to forgive?

People Will Turn and Worship

31 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Everyone on this earth will remember you, LORD.
People all over the world will turn and worship you, because you are in control, the ruler of all nations (Psalm 22:27-28, CEV).

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Cape Breton, N.S. lighthouse — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is worship.

What a wonderful promise we have in today’s psalm reading! People all over the world will turn and worship you, because you are in control, the ruler of all nations. 

What a powerful truth. As we look forward to 2016, let’s pray in faith for this verse to become more and more a reality. The LORD is in control and He hears the prayers of His people.

Response: LORD God, I pray that in the year ahead many all over the world will turn to you in repentance and faith. Show yourself as the God who is in control. Come and rule the nations with grace, mercy and justice. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a plan for prayer in 2016?

 

Confidence in the Midst of Adversity

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Psalm 3, Psalms

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Reading:                                                  Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”

But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people. (NIV)

 Reflection

When do you most need God?

The answer to that question is easy—when I’m in deep trouble. It’s natural to call out to God when I’m in some great or urgent need. A returning veteran from the First World War said it best, “There are no atheists in the trenches. When the artillery shells start exploding to the right and left, even unbelievers discover how to pray.”

The context of Psalm 3 is of great significance.  David finds himself in the midst of a life threatening tragedy. He is fleeing from his palace in the nation’s capital, because his son is conspiring to murder him and seize the kingdom from his hands. Here is the great delta—the extreme low point in David’s life.

How does David respond? With utter confidence in God! Yes, he calls out to the LORD for deliverance, but he does so with complete assurance that God will answer. There isn’t the slightest hint of doubtful desperation in his voice. Having prayed to the LORD, he boasts in his ability to sleep, because he knows God will answer.

How could David be so confident—so self-assured? Actually, David’s assurance rested entirely on the LORD, not on himself. David had a wealth of experience with God. In his mind the LORD was tried, tested and true.

He knew something you need to know. God will come through. He will bring salvation and deliverance!

Response: LORD, save me from all my troubles. I put my confidence in You. Amen.

Your Turn: Reflect on the goodness of the LORD. Has He saved you from deep trouble in the past?