Psalm 13:3-4 (NIV)
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Devotion:
In the first two verses of this Psalm, David expresses his despair openly to God. Now David moves from expressing his feelings to expressing real specific needs. Here, David is being very direct with God. David is asking for victory over his enemies. It is very possible this Psalm was written when King Saul was pursuing David to kill him. A healthy lament moves from negative feelings to real, specific needs. Once you’re done hurling it all at God, the next step is to tell Him what you need.
In Hebrews 4:16, we are told to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” We approach God confidently because we know His character and His love for us. Therefore, we can pray and ask God to rescue us from any situation that we find ourselves in. James writes, “You do not have because you do not ask God.”
Questions to Ponder:
Are you able to pray and ask God to rescue you? Are you specific when you are asking God to meet your needs? What have you learned about what a healthy lament looks like from your Scripture reading today?
Prayer Points:
- Ask God to grow you in your walk with Him, especially when it comes to being open and honest before Him, as well as being specific in your prayers to Him.
- If you are someone who feels He is not answering your prayer – tell him that. Then tell Him You need to see Him work in your life today. Talk to Him with an expectant heart to hear back. End your prayer with, “Father I know You see me; I know You are listening and working on my behalf. Reveal Yourself to me today as I trust You.”
- Pray this specific prayer for our church family today: “Encourage our hearts today Father. Bring word of Your faithfulness, kindness, and answered prayers. Reveal Yourself to us, help us to turn our attention toward You. Show each of us something very personal today and help us share You with those around us. With an expectant heart we wait on You. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I ask. Amen.”
Suggested Prayer
Lord, I praise You that You are my God who sees and my God who hears. Thank You for the confidence that I have, not in my own self, but in and through Jesus Christ. Thank You so much that You call me Your son/daughter. Thank You that I have Your indwelling Spirit. If you the eternal God came down from Heaven and laid down Your life for me so that I would be with You forever, how much more do You want to give good gifts to me, but You want me to ASK! Forgive me Lord for so many things I have not asked You for. Your arms are wide open ready to give them to me and all I need to do is ask. Teach me LORD Your ways, help me to remain in You and Your word so that I ask according to Your will and Your ways. Thank You for being committed to me and my life. You are so faithful and my very present help, thank You LORD. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.