Friday Morning Prayer:). January 14, 2016
January 14, 2016 - 6 minutes readThere’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one![1]
“Look to me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.”[2]
It has been said that Psalm 13 would probably fit many experiences of David during the reign of Saul. It is a heartfelt lament that “could have been used in the temple by any Israelite who was either sick or being persecuted, or both.”[3]
Even as we dwell In Christ, and He in us, there are those times when we feel overwhelmed in this life due to difficult circumstances, unexpected loss, unattained goals, wayward loved ones, financial burdens, unemployment, sickness, etc., we readily echo the cry, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”[4] The context is different today, but the genuine emotional expression is reflective of our humanness across all generations and difficult seasons of life.
Many times through the midst of the storm we have difficulty sensing God, instead of hope, hopelessness overtakes our thoughts, feelings, and joy. In Psalm 6 we read the same expression, “How long, O Lord, how long?”[5] I appreciate the honesty of the Scriptures!
Beloved, you know life experiences can be tremendously difficult! Be encouraged by the Scriptures! Our gracious God uses our trials and tribulations to demonstrate His love, comfort, and restoring mercy.
Some years ago now, God had mercy on me through suffering. My painful circumstances, certainly in the sovereign plan of God, brought me to the end of my own strength and caused me to recognize my desperate need for mercy, forgiveness, and restoration. God’s mercy unto my salvation! Even beyond salvation our God continues to use your life struggles, my life problems, our difficult circumstances to mold and shape who we are In Christ. Greater intimacy, complete surrender, a total reliance on God in our everyday lives! From glory to glory, even through our sufferings! Therefore, we can confidently say our pain, our suffering has an ultimate purpose even when we fail to understand.
David suffered and expressed his suffering to the point of despair. He doesn’t end there! “Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.”[6] Beautiful! In Christ, we are given the supernatural power to persevere! I encourage you and myself to echo again and again with the psalmist, “…I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”[7] Yes! :).
Sing! As we struggle and face the obstacles inherent in this life, run to our gracious God in prayer, cry out, even sing aloud songs that minister to the heart, mind, and soul! Just a few hymns of old that encouraged me, even this morning!
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Count_Your_Blessings/
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/What_a_Friend_We_Have_in_Jesus/
http://www.popularhymns.com/victory_in_jesus.php
No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!
There’s not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!
Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Was e’er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! No, not one!
Will He refuse us a home in heaven?
No, not one! No, not one!
Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. 0900.
Yes! You are invited to join our sisters In Christ to pray together. A joy to have supportive gals praying for each other, our communities, our nation… etc., as the Holy Spirit leads! Check it out and both receive and give a blessing! :).
Brothers are meeting too! First Baptist. 0730.
Faithful brothers meeting to love one another, pray together, encourage, and spur on toward maturity, increased love, overflowing mercy, intentional humility… always in our shared faith. We emphasize the cross and unite to glorify our God! Always, we rely on God the Holy Spirit to lead our short hour of prayer. You are invited!
Abundant Grace!
Randall:).
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/No_Not_One/
[2] Psalm 13:3
[3] Zondervan Bible Commentary. 2008. F.F. Bruce (ed).
[4] Psalm 13:1
[5] Psalm 6:3
[6] Ibid. v. 4
[7] Psalm 13:5-6
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