Wednesday, March 13, 2019

praying effectively: Keep Vows That You Make (Ps.76)

(Psalm 76)
 God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.
His tabernacle is in Salem; His dwelling place also is in Zion.
There He broke the flaming arrows, the shield and the sword and the weapons of war. Selah.
You are resplendent, more majestic than the mountains of prey.
The stouthearted were plundered, they sank into sleep; and none of the warriors could use his hands.
At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
You, even You, are to be feared; and who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry?
You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still
When God arose to judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah.
10 For the wrath of man shall praise You; with a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared.
12 He will cut off the spirit of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.

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 when we do, we are to make vows only to the Lord (76:11)
- that we fulfill any vow made to the Lord (76:11)
- that we bring gifts (and offerings) to the Lord (76:11)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, because You are worthy, we should want to honor You with sacrificial gifts and offerings.  And because You are almighty and sovereign, we should trust You, realizing that when we do make vows, they should be solemnly made only to You.  And because You are holy and just, we should realize that when we make a vow, we need to ask You to help us carry that out.  Thank You that You are also a loving and patient God.  Thank You for Your lovingkindness!  Amen.

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