Cry Out to God

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (AMP)

God, hear my cry; ·listen [pay attention] to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (EXB)

Hear my cry, O God. He was in terrible earnest; he shouted, he lifted up his voice on high. He is not however content with the expression of his need: to give his sorrows vent is not enough for him, he wants actual audience of heaven, and manifold succour as the result. Pharisees may rest in their prayers; true believers are eager for an answer to them: ritualists may be satisfied when they have, "said or sung" their litanies and collects, but living children of God will never rest till their supplications have entered the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth.

Attend unto my prayer. Give it thy consideration, and such an answer as thy wisdom sees fit. When it comes to crying with us, we need not doubt but that it will come to attending with God. Our heavenly Father is not hardened against the cries of his own children. What a consoling thought it is that the Lord at all times hears his people's cries, and is never forgetful of their prayers; whatever else fails to move him, praying breath is never spent in vain!  The Treasury of David

So often we expect people to know what’s going on in our lives.... but we neglect to tell them! In reality people can’t automatically know what’s happening in our lives if we are silent. 

God does know what is happening, as He knows everything... even our thoughts are words to God. However, God still wants us to communicate with Him. We need to cry out to God in prayer. 

Why? If God already knows do I have to pray? The best reason, is because it makes us realize that we are dependent upon God! Another reason is that prayer is not just to give God our wish list, rather prayer helps us gain wisdom and change our hearts to be in tune to God’s will and purpose. 

To create a positive day, I cannot remain silent, rather I need to cry out to God, sharing my deepest secrets and accepting His wisdom and love. 

Ultimately in Control!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

May You prolong the [true] King’s life [adding days upon days], and may His years be to the last generation [of this world and the generations of the world to come]. Psalm 61:6 (AMP)

Add days upon days to the life of the king. May his years endure throughout every generation. Psalm 61:6 (GW)

As I read Psalm 61:6, I realized the truth that I really have no control over prolonging my life. That ultimate is up to God and His plan. However, I still need to continue to make the best choices in caring for my body and not act foolishly. 

How much time is wasted on being anxious about things out of our control? I think back a few years, my sister and I had things all planned out. My parents moved to her town, so she’d be able to care for them in their old age. And sometime in the future, I’d move close to her, so we could help care for each other as we aged. But God had a totally DIFFERENT plan. My sister died in April 2011 due to cancer. My parents then moved back to FL, to be near my brothers. And.... I guess in time I might move down there too.... maybe. 

Plans... how do I add days to my life? That I can’t do! 

And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]? Luke 12:25 (AMP)

What I can do is make sure that each and every day I am living a life that is pleasing to God and accomplishing His will for my life. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember that when I create plans, to make sure I consult God, realizing that He is ultimately in control! 

No Miscommunication

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

O God, you have heard my vows. You have given me the inheritance that belongs to those who fear your name. Psalm 61:5 (GW)

For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear, revere, and honor Your name. Psalm 61:5 (AMP)

"For thou, O God, hast heard my vows." Proofs of divine faithfulness are to be had in remembrance, and to be mentioned to the Lord's honour. The prayer of Psalm 61:1 is certain of an answer because of the experience of Psalm 61:5, since we deal with an immutable God. "Vows" may rightly be joined with prayers when they are lawful, well-considered, and truly for God's glory. It is great mercy on God's part to take any notice of the vows and promises of such faithless and deceitful creatures as we are. What we promise him is his due already, and yet he deigns to accept our vows as if we were not so much his servants as his free suitors who could give or withhold at pleasure. The Treasury of David

Often I think I hear what someone is saying, but I don’t really hear them, because I’m thinking of my answer, or my mind as wandered elsewhere, or I’m distracted. 

The word, “heard” in Psalm 61:5 means “to hear intelligently”. God not only HEARS, He understands and grasps exactly what I’m saying. There is no miscommunication between what I say and what God hears. He is listening!

Since there is no miscommunication between me and God, I need to make sure that any vows I do make are such that I will fulfill them. Taking with God is a privilege and yet there is also responsibility in prayer. God graciously allows me to come before Him and talk about anything, that is a great comfort. I also need to remember that God is not just my Father, but He is God Almighty! He is loving and caring, but also Holy. God is listening... what exactly is it that I’m saying?  God is listening.... is what I’m saying worth His time? 

To create a positive day, I need to communicate with God, knowing that there will be no miscommunication.

Shelter in the Rain

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

For You are my protection, an impenetrable fortress from my enemies. Psalm 61:3 (VOICE)

For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary. Psalm 61:3 (AMP)

Refuge: to flee for protection; to confide in—have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

Shelter in the Rain (4 Him)

How long have you been

Waiting on a little sun to shine

To take away the night

Hold on for you are never alone

Through the darkest skies

There is a guiding light

For our God is a refuge

Where the weary can run and hide

in times of trouble

He’ll be the calm in the midst of the storm

‘Till it passes by

Oh, you need to know

CHORUS

There’s a shelter in the rain

There’s a hope for your tomorrow

There’s a cover through the pain

When you’re underneath the weather

Jesus is the shelter in the rain

Sometimes when hope is hard to find

We’ve got to walk by faith

Until we see the way

Hold tight for we are promised in time

Those who patiently wait

Will never wait in vain

For we know God is faithful

He’s a fortress to run into

In times of trouble

He’ll cover us with the wings of his love

‘Till we make it through

Oh, we got to know

REPEAT CHORUS

So tell me why

Why could you ever run away

From the cover out into the storm

Just know in time

The rain’s gonna bring a brighter day

And the clouds will be gone

But while you wait on the Lord

Just knowing that I have a shelter—no matter how stormy it looks, or how strong the storm may be—my God is a strong and secure shelter!

What a joy to place my hope and trust in the Almighty God! And being in the God’s protection turns any stormy day into a positive one! 

Shelter in the Rain (4 Him) 

Stormy Waters

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 (ASV)

When I’m far from anywhere, down to my last gasp, I call out, “Guide me up High Rock Mountain!” Psalm 61:2 (MSG)

"When my heart is overwhelmed." Troubles are of various kinds; some are provoking, some are gnawing, some are perplexing, and some are overwhelming; but whatever form they assume, they are troubles, and are part of the wear and tear of life.... Overwhelming troubles are such as sweep over a man, just as the mighty billows of the ocean sweep over and submerge the sands. These are troubles which struggle with us, as it were, for life and death; troubles which would leave us helpless wrecks; troubles which enter into conflict with us in our prime, which grapple with us in our health and strength, and threaten to conquer us by sheer force, no matter how bravely we may contend. Such trouble the Psalmist knew. - Philip Bennett Power, in "The 'I wills' of the Psalms," 1861.

"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." The language is very remarkable. It gives us the idea of a man suffering shipwreck. The vessel in which he has been sailing has sunk. He has been plunged into the mighty ocean; and there he is buffeting the waves, struggling for life, panting for breath, and just about to give up all for lost. Suddenly he discovers a rock towering above him. If he can but climb up to the top of it, and get sure footing upon it, the billows will not be able to reach him, and he will be safe. Now, the prayer in our text is the cry of that poor wretch for help. He is so spent and exhausted, that he cannot reach the rock himself. He shouts aloud for the friendly hand of some one stronger than himself, or for a rope that may be flung to him by those who are already safe on the rock, if by these helps he may gain it. "Lead me to the rock," cries the poor perishing wretch. "O, lead me, guide me, direct me to it; for I am so worn and spent, that I cannot reach it otherwise. I am at the point to die; and I must sink, and be no more seen for ever, if there is none to help me." Thus he calls for some one to rescue him from the deep, and to place him on the "rock," But what rock? He knows that unless the rock be a high one, he will not be in safety, though he should be on it. "The rock," he says, "must be higher than I, or the waves will reach me, and wash me off again." It is not a rock, the top of which just shows itself above the sea, no higher than a man's own body, that will save the life of a shipwrecked mariner. Such a rock may occasion the wreck, but it will not afford any help to the sufferers afterwards; it is a rock to split upon for destruction, not to stand upon for safety. "Lead me to the rock," or as it is in the Prayer-book version, "Set me upon the rock, that is higher than I!"... The text having shown us the danger of sin, does not leave us comfortless; it shows us the security of the refuge. We have before remarked, that the prayer of David, as a shipwrecked man, is, to be "led to," and set upon, a "rock," that is higher than himself. The expression seems to imply much. The rock that is higher than he, must be higher than any man; for David was a mighty monarch. He implies, therefore, that the refuge he seeks must be more than any "arm of flesh" can afford him; it must be therefore divine. - Condensed from a Sermon by Fountain Elwin, 1842.

So overwhelmed that I fell like I’m drowning in the stormy waters, and too weak to even grasp the life preserver. Yet, all I need to do is cry out to God and He will lift me up. No matter my troubles, no matter the depths of my despair, God in His mercy is ready to rescue me. 

To create a positive day, it’s not about me doing it on my own, especially when the stormy waters are swirling around me, rather, it’s about crying out to God and simply trust Him to lift me up. 

More About Him and Less About Me

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (AMP)

God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (MSG)

Cry. Shout. 

The word rendered cry in this place sometimes denotes a joyful shout - a shout of triumph; but the connection makes it certain that it here refers to the voice of prayer. It is implied that it was audible prayer, or that the psalmist gave utterance to his desires in words. It is language such as would be produced by deep distress; when a sad and burdened heart gives vent to its feelings in a loud cry for mercy. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As I read this verse this morning, I first am very grateful that when I am in trouble, or distress, that I can cry out to my God and He hears me. But is that the ONLY time I cry out to God? 

Do you like to hear people complain—all the time? I know I don’t. And I don’t like to hear kids (or even worse adults) with a “give me attitude”. But how often do my prayers to God sound just like that.... full of complaints and give me lists? Thankful that God hears and listens to my prayers.... but maybe, prayers need to be more than just complaints and wish lists. 

Prayer. What is prayer? Simply put,  prayer is talking with God. It’s a conversation. 

On June 10, 2010 I posted this on my blog: 

Prayer is not a vending machine—say the right words and get what you want. Prayer is the privilege of communicating with God. 

Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. -Oswald Chambers  

So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. A.W. Tozer  

Communication. So simple. So vital. So taken for granted. 

When I pray, I need to remember to Whom I’m talking—God Almighty! And as I talk with God, I need to stop my complaining and giving Him my wish list, and spend time getting to know Him.

To create a positive day, my conversations with God need to be more about Him, and less about me.

Going Right On as the Days Roll On!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The Twenty-fourth of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 61. Here's what Treasure I found today.

So will I sing praise unto thy name forever, that I may daily perform my vows. Psalm 61:8 (KJV)

Sing praise: give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.

Name: by implication honor, authority, character 

Forever: perpetuity.

Perform: make good.

Vows: promised gifts.

Daily: day by day, continually—today and each day.

We vowed perpetual praise, and we desire to render it without intermission. We would worship God de die in diem, going right on as the days roll on. We ask no vacation from this heavenly vocation; we would make no pause in this sacred service. God daily performs his promises, let us daily perform our vows: he keeps his covenant let us not forget ours. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth, even for evermore. The Treasury of David

I will, a determined commitment and desire, to give praise to God, because He is worthy of praise, each and every day, as a promised gift to God. 

Note that my praise is not based on how I feel, or what I’m experiencing that particular day, the praise is directed to God, His character, Who He is. And since God does NOT change, my praise should be continual. 

I like how the Treasure of David put it: going right on as the days roll on. My praise to God should be going on and on and on and on and on.... as the  days roll on! Just like a huge boulder rolling down a hill, it continues to gather speed as it continues to roll. The more I praise God on a daily basis, the more I want to praise God! Going right on as the days roll on! 

I’ve noticed that the past several Psalms really focus on the aspect that my Praise is not to be based on me, my circumstances, my situation, or how I feel. Rather I’m to be praising and honoring God simply because of WHO He is. I also have noticed that as David turns his attention to God and begins praising and honoring God, David’s outlook changes., even if his situation/circumstances remain the same, David finds joy and comfort in Who God is. 

To create a positive day, I need to change my focus from how I feel, from how bad I hurt, from my circumstances to Who God is, His character and begin praising Him.... going right on as the days roll on!