PSALM 99

The LORD reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells [between] the cherubim; Let the earth be moved! 2 The LORD [is] great in Zion, And He [is] high above all the peoples. 3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name–He [is] holy. 4 The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool–He [is] holy. 6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them. 8 You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God [is] holy.

PSALM 99:1-8

HE ANSWERS PRAYER

The other day I had a busy and frazzled day. I didn’t get anything done that I wanted to get done. I was drawn away from what I had wanted to do (get into the study) by several crises and prescheduled events. Because of my calling I found myself praying with folks over health concerns. Then I was called away to be with a family who had just got some very disturbing news. Then I was in a couple of meetings that would help determine where we would go as a ministry, then to a midweek prayer service, and then to pray over the schools. At the end of the day I looked back and I couldn’t help but be grateful. Even though I didn’t get into the weeds of study like I had wanted to, I did get into the weeds of prayer all day long. I was forced to continually bring everything to the Lord in prayer and allow him to refine my heart. I know we are called to pray with out ceasing (and I often pray in my heart) but by the end of the day I had hours of out loud verbal prayer under my belt.

What made the day especially encouraging was knowing that when we call out to God he hears our prayers! My wife had shared that day about a seeming answer to one of our prayers. I looked back at where God has been working in our lives and I could see he was answering prayers we have been praying. The blessings we have harvested (I’m talking spiritual not necessarily material) have been harvested in the midst of a long season of prayer! It was a good day of prayer.

What jumped out to me today is that God hears the prayers of his servants who come to him with pure hearts and sincere faith. He answers our prayers according to His character and His promises. He is a God who forgives and I am grateful because I have been forgiven much. He is a God who is approachable and I am grateful.

I had a good day of prayer the other day and while I am grateful for the day I had and the way it has brought me closer to the Lord it has also served to spark an increasing desire to grow closer to the Lord through prayer always. As crazy as it seems, because it was a crazy day, I welcome more days where I talk to the Lord out loud through it all.

PRAYER

Father, I am so grateful that you hear me when I pray! I am grateful that even though I had an unplanned and unbalanced day that you were there with me through it all and I get to point others to you. I am grateful for your calling in my life. I want to glorify you in all that I say and do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.