6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue their victims; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.”
Psalm 10:1-2 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
I’ve addressed this issue quite a bit recently but I want to focus on it again – God wants us to be blatantly honest with Him in prayer, even if it means that we express our feelings that He isn’t doing what we believe He should be doing.
Some would say: “Hey! You can’t talk to God like that!”
But, I’ll just let the Psalmist’s words speak for themselves. Listen as he accuses God of hiding when He’s needed. Listen as he expresses his frustration that injustice is happening and God doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it.
Psalm 10:1-2 “Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue their victims; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.”
Realize, friend, that while Jesus might not like our words or actions, He wants us to be honest with what’s going on in our minds and hearts. If what comes out of our mouth in prayer doesn’t match what’s going on inside of our heart, then we’re hypocrites.
So, what does God think of someone who is so blatantly and brutally honest in prayer? What does He think of someone who refuses to be a hypocrite but, instead, tells the Lord exactly what He’s thinking and feeling?
Acts 13:22 “After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.’” (emphasis mine)
Oh, one more thing. Realize that David and the other Psalmists didn’t simply vent in prayer when their hearts were in turmoil. They almost always ended up exercising faith and resting in the Lord regardless of what they saw. They expressed trust in the Lord’s heart even in the midst of difficulty and injustice.
So, in your prayers, be honest. Let the Lord know exactly what’s going on in your heart. But don’t get stuck in the ugliness. Eventually, move by faith to praise and gratitude. Let the Lord know what you’re thinking and feeling and then chose to move toward trusting in Him regardless of what happens.
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Lord Jesus, when I read the Psalms, I find my heart breathing a sigh of relief. I realize that the men who penned those psalms often expressed their struggles, their questions, their honest feelings with You. And then, after expressing their inner turmoil, chose to end their prayers by exercising faith to praise You. Help me to have this same sort of passion and honesty in my prayers. I want my relationship with You to be real, not phony with a mindless bunch of empty words that neither of us takes seriously. So, as Your disciples once requested of you, teach me to pray. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 