Skip to main content

Day 14 - A simple Prayer

Today's reading is from Psalm 70. It's short, simple and straightforward.

Psalm 70:1-5 (NLT)
1 Please, God, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me.
2 May those who try to kill me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.
3 Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”
4 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O LORD, do not delay.

The psalm of David begins with that simple prayer. "Please God, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me." In our flesh we resist the urge to say the words. We are not dependent upon anyone. We are designed by God to be dependent, not alone, not making it on our own. First our dependence is upon him - "love the Lord your God with all of your heart...." - to love him is to be dependent upon him for life day by day. Secondly, our dependence is upon those around us that God has given us. It is those "gifts" of persons that we often overlook. Jesus did not walk out his ministry, those last 3 years alone. God gave him 12 disciples "to be with him", Mark 3 says.

Sixteen hundred years ago, a European Christian named John Cassian published an account of his conversations with monks living in a Middle Eastern desert. One older monk, Isaac, had shared this prayer from Psalm 70 with the young John on his visit to their monastery. John's book - and Isaac's prayer - had such an influence that even today many Christians around the globe begin times of prayer with the Scripture verse Isaac commended to John Cassian.

It is a simple prayer and one worth repeating throughout the day. It's not hard to say, even to memorize, but if we meant it from the depth of our hearts, it would be a way of casting ourselves in dependence upon God every moment of the day... "Lord, please rescue me. Come quickly Lord and help me."

Peace

If you're reading through the Bible in a Year with me, read Joshua 16, 17, 18. The stories here remind me of a time, in Israel, when the people lost sight of God and in making life up for themselves, without his presence, guidance, word, it becomes nothing more than a mess...a very sad one at that.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more