August 11, 2016
Worship: Desert Song by Hillsong
This is my prayer in the desertWhen all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life, in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
You are, You are here my Lord
And this is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
I abridged the song for brevity sake. This is for those who read the lyrics rather than sing along with the video which has the complete lyrics. I only left out most of the repetition in the song.
Witness:
This song ministered me in so many ways Lord. Thank you for leading me to it in days when I feel dry and exhausted. I have vegetated too long in front of the “boob-tube” listening to the constant drumbeat of opposing forces come at each in this most unique of political cycles that I can remember. Listening too long to those things saps my energy Lord so why do I waste my time with it? I ask myself that question and the only answer I can come up with Lord is that I listen in order to see some reason for hope. Reason to believe this nation “under God” will move in the right direction. Yet how blasphemous that seems to be as I think about it. As I wrote this and contemplated on why I was doing this, a verse came to mind:
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Ps 20:7 NIV
This led me to other verses:
This is what the Lord says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
Jer 17:5 NIV
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
Dan 2:20-21a NIV
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: "What have you done?"
Dan 4:34-35 NIV
Everyone must submit himself to the
governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has
established. The authorities that exist
have been established by God. Rom 13:1 NIV
Lord, when will I leave the running of this world to You and You alone? I constantly am placing my hope in humanity and circumstances when You are constantly telling to do so is to misplace my hope in temporary things. My hope is in You the eternal, almighty, all-wise, and sovereign LORD of the universe. Therefore, my Lord, I will not look to humanity for my deliverance but to You. So, whether I am in the desert, fire, battle, or even in prosperity; I will declare the words of this song:
I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
You are, You are here my Lord
And as You bless my life may I also do this:
And this is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
WORD:
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Ps 25:8-10
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
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Ps 25:8-10
8 The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9 He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
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Ps 25:8-10
8 Good and upright is the LORD, therefore, will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
KJV
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Ps 25:8-10
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
ESV
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The second couplet appears here in verse 9 and is less about attributes and more about activity. These are the words “guide” (or “lead”) and “teach”. These words appear earlier in verses 4 and 5 where we find David praying for God to do for him what he declares God does for the humble in verse 9. This tells me two things. Vertically, it is proper to petition God to do that which He already promises. Horizontally, it calls me to examine my motives and attitude. Are they marked by humility? One might argue, “Why pray for something God promises to do?” “Isn’t that revealing a lack of faith?” I suppose if I prayed in doubt, it would be. However, it also can reveal faith as a confidence to come boldly before my Lord knowing He will answer based on the promise. It also reveals a humility in recognizing our sole source of provision comes from Him. Ultimately it is a mystery, but God promises are not really actualized in my life until I ask and I will never really recognize God’s workings in my life until I claim those promises in prayer and look expectantly for them.
Lord, where You lead I will follow
With humility and Your power
In paths marked with joy and sorrow
On which Your love and fidelity, You shower
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