Praying with JOY while in the Wilderness
Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. - Psalm 63:3-4
-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- Joy in the LORD through Prayer and Praise
In preparation for our time together this Sunday, read Psalm 63.
David was very familiar with the wilderness. David was found in the wilderness fleeing Saul, chasing Philistines, and contending with his son Absalom. Most likely, 2 Samuel 15 serves as the setting for Psalm 63. Absalom has turned on his father, David, and David flees Jerusalem and heads to the wilderness.
The wilderness is an interesting place. In the wilderness, the elements are extremely difficult. The sun burns hot; water is scarce; nights can be very cold; the terrain is harsh. This is the description of the physical wilderness, but we can often find ourselves in a spiritual wilderness. Think about a time you felt like you were in the wilderness. Describe the conditions. May be lonely, fearful, lost, ashamed, frustrated. Rather than focusing on the situation at hand and the conditions of his surroundings, David set his eyes, his heart, his mind on the LORD.
-CONSIDER & MEDITATE-
Go back and read Psalm 63. What did David focus on while he was in the wilderness?
- Verse 1 – He acknowledged God – O God, you are my God…
- Verse 1 – He acknowledged his longing for God – earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you…
- Verse 2 – He acknowledged God – His power & glory – I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
- Verse 3 – He acknowledged the character & value of God – because your steadfast love is better than life.
As David prayed in the wilderness, he acknowledged God and this turned David’s heart in prayer to joyful praise.
- Verse 3 – My lips will praise You
- Verse 4 – So I will bless You as long as I live
- Verse 4 – In Your name I will lift up my hands
Acknowledged condition – verse 5 – my soul will be satisfied…
- Verse 5 – My mouth will praise You with joyful lips when I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the watches of the night.
Acknowledgement of God’s kind work – verse 7 – For You have been my help and in the shadow of Your wings…
- Verse 7 – I will sing for joy.
Acknowledgement of a glorious relationship – My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
PRAYER & THANKSGIVING
Take some time to pray to the Lord and to praise Him:
- Acknowledge God as your God. Tell Him He is your God.
- Acknowledge your need for God. Tell Him how desperately you need Him.
- Tell God of times you have seen Him work in power and how you have seen Him display His glory.
- Take time to simply praise the Lord and bless the Lord. To bless the Lord means to speak of His greatness and goodness. Tell Him of His greatness, His power, and His righteousness and kindness.
- Tonight when you lay down on your bed – think about God, focus on Him. Think about who God is and what He has done.
- Acknowledge a time that God serve to be your help. How was He a present help? What was the need?
- Sing for joy that the almighty, righteous God, the Creator rescued you from sin and death. O God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you… I love you Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you O my soul rejoice…