July 26, 2006 - Psalms 40-42 and Acts 27:1-26
The psalms are songs written by David and other men. The songs were sung in the Temple for worship. I am sure they were sung by individuals and families. We sing them today. However, when we read some of the psalms, we realize that they are prayers. We are reading the intimate conversations of David and others with the Lord. As we read these passages today, I hope the Lord will show us some things about true prayer. Real prayer is not informing God of things He does not know, and it should not be a time of trying to convince Him to do our will. Prayer should be an intimate conversation with God in which we seek to know His will so we can obey Him in faith. In the process of the conversation we pour out our hearts to Him, because life is hard, and because we love Him so much.
In Psalm 40 David thanks God for bringing him out of a terrible situation and for giving him a new song of praise after it was all over. (v.2-3) David is thankful to the Lord, and he wants everyone to see what God has done for him, so they will follow God, too. He is showing us that he knows the purpose of his trials. They are to help him grow, but they are also to help others. Have you thanked God for all He has done for you recently? I hope you will not only thank Him, but let others know, too.
In Psalm 41 David talks to God about being hurt by a good friend. (v.9) That hurts even more than being hurt by an enemy. It is obvious that David knows that he is not perfect, so he wants to extend grace to his friend, and he wants God to forgive him for all of his shortcomings. We should all realize our own sins first, and then, we should be even more forgiving of others, just like Christ has forgiven us.
Psalm 42 is a psalm of Korah. He is expressing his love for the Lord. He thirsts for the Lord. At the same time he has many people around him who are unbelievers. They are attacking him. He is wondering why God doesn't do something. He is wondering why his soul is so burdened. He has put his trust in God, so he should be able to live in praise. He is being so very transparent with God. That is how we all should pray. God knows our hearts already. He just wants us to confess our need for Him. He wants us to trust Him. That is what prayer is all about. It is fellowship with God and faith in Him.
Acts 27 is an example of prayer. Paul is praying during his journey to Rome. God shows him that a disaster will take place if they keep sailing. (v.10) He tells the centurion, but he puts them on another ship, and they sail anyway. Then, when a huge storm hits, it was apparent that Paul knew what he was talking about. However, as he is praying during the storm an angel comes to tell him that God would spare their lives, even though the ship would be lost. (v.22-24) Again, Paul told them as a witness of the fact that God does communicate with His children. He wants us to take Him all of our cares, and He wants to show us His way. Then, we can decide to trust Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 43-45 and Acts 27:27-44.
In Psalm 40 David thanks God for bringing him out of a terrible situation and for giving him a new song of praise after it was all over. (v.2-3) David is thankful to the Lord, and he wants everyone to see what God has done for him, so they will follow God, too. He is showing us that he knows the purpose of his trials. They are to help him grow, but they are also to help others. Have you thanked God for all He has done for you recently? I hope you will not only thank Him, but let others know, too.
In Psalm 41 David talks to God about being hurt by a good friend. (v.9) That hurts even more than being hurt by an enemy. It is obvious that David knows that he is not perfect, so he wants to extend grace to his friend, and he wants God to forgive him for all of his shortcomings. We should all realize our own sins first, and then, we should be even more forgiving of others, just like Christ has forgiven us.
Psalm 42 is a psalm of Korah. He is expressing his love for the Lord. He thirsts for the Lord. At the same time he has many people around him who are unbelievers. They are attacking him. He is wondering why God doesn't do something. He is wondering why his soul is so burdened. He has put his trust in God, so he should be able to live in praise. He is being so very transparent with God. That is how we all should pray. God knows our hearts already. He just wants us to confess our need for Him. He wants us to trust Him. That is what prayer is all about. It is fellowship with God and faith in Him.
Acts 27 is an example of prayer. Paul is praying during his journey to Rome. God shows him that a disaster will take place if they keep sailing. (v.10) He tells the centurion, but he puts them on another ship, and they sail anyway. Then, when a huge storm hits, it was apparent that Paul knew what he was talking about. However, as he is praying during the storm an angel comes to tell him that God would spare their lives, even though the ship would be lost. (v.22-24) Again, Paul told them as a witness of the fact that God does communicate with His children. He wants us to take Him all of our cares, and He wants to show us His way. Then, we can decide to trust Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 43-45 and Acts 27:27-44.