Wednesday, February 27, 2019

praying effectively: Celebrate Other Believers (Ps.35)

(Psalm 35:9-28)
And my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; it shall exult in His salvation.
10 All my bones will say, “Lordwho is like You, who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, and the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?”
11 Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer kept returning to my bosom.
14 I went about as though it were my friend or brother; bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.
15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; the smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, they slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, monly life from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.
19 Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me; nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.
20 For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
21 They opened their mouth wide against me; they said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”
22 You have seen it, O Lorddo not keep silent; O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my right and to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, our desire!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”
26 Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who rejoice at my distress; let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.
27 Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; and let them say continually, “The Lord be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant.”
28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness and Your praise all day long.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that believers encourage and support each other (35:27)
- that we shout for joy, rejoice, and magnify the Lord (35:27)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for not always being encouraging and supportive to my loved ones and other believers.  Even in those times when I'm "being funny" or "trying to help".  There's a lot of room for improvement for me in that area.

Give me wisdom and insight and a whole lot of love.  And dare I say it - I believe humility is also necessary... otherwise - I - think that I'm being clever, or - I - know a whole bunch in order to solve an issue.  Meanwhile, the answer is to magnify YOU!!!  And to be continually "resting" at peace in Your joy.  Thank You for always being right here for us!  I know that when I focus on how big and awesome You are, the more peace and joy I find!  Amen.

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