God Speaks
Trusting and Obeying the LORD in the Midst of Difficulty
Verse of the Day: “Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD; do not let their plans succeed.” Psalm 140:8 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 106
We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding Psalms 56, 120, 140-142
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Psalms 56
1. God will deliver souls from death, keep their feet from falling, and help them to walk in the light of the living.
2. Whenever they are afraid, God’s chosen ones can trust in Him. They don’t need to be afraid of what mere mortals can do to them. They can offer praises to God knowing that He can be trusted to keep His promises.
Psalms 120
1. The LORD God is the one who answers prayers and deals with the lying, deceitful people who continually conspire against the righteous.
2. People can take all their troubles to the LORD and should do so.
Psalms 140
1. The LORD God is sovereign and will deal with the proud and wicked ones in His time and in His way, now or in eternity.
2. There are wicked people in this world who are set on destroying those who are striving to live righteously.
Psalm 141
1. God does hear and answer the prayers of those who trust and obey Him.
2. People can turn to the LORD for help in controlling their words and actions.
Psalms 142
1. The LORD God is the one person who knows all about us and our situation. He will listen and act.
2. People can always cry out to the LORD in whatever trouble they may be facing.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding Psalms 56, 120, 140-142?
Dear Sovereign LORD, Please listen to the cries for help from those who are being mistreated, abused, maligned, cancelled, ostracized, falsely accused or betrayed. Rescue them. Sustain them. Protect them. Let them know beyond doubt that You will never harm, leave, or betray those who trust and obey You. You will deal with liars, abusers, murderers, and betrayers in Your time and in Your way. May those who are under attack express their concerns, whatever they are, and trust in You, the One who can truly help. Whenever they are afraid, may Your chosen ones trust in You. We don’t need to be afraid of what mere mortals can do to us. We can offer praises to You, LORD God, knowing that You can be trusted to keep Your promises. You will deliver our souls from death, keep our feet from falling, and help us to walk in the light and the land of the living.
Thank You, strong and loving Father God, for answering the prayers of all who call on You. Please do rescue us from liars and all deceitful people. Please punish severely those who purposely harm others physically, verbally, socially, or emotionally. Grant us Your peace in the midst of great (or subtle) conflict.
O LORD, please rescue Your people from evildoers who spread violence and lies. Use the traps they set and their own words against them. Listen to the cries for mercy from those who are seeking You and Your ways. Don’t let evildoers prosper in our land. Give Your chosen ones protection, provision, and peace in times of disaster. Then the godly will praise You and live in Your presence.
Please set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over my lips. Don’t let me be drawn into evil so that I take part in evil deeds along with the wicked.
Thank You, Father God, that I can pour out my complaints before You and tell You all my troubles, as long as I do it respectfully. Show me any traps my enemies have set for me so that I can avoid them. There is no one else I can turn to who can really help. There is no God but You. You are my refuge. You are all I really want or need in life. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. May others who are godly gather around me, for You, O God, are so good to me. May we all bring glory to Your name and live to the praise of Your glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Psalms 56, 120, 140-142?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray these psalms on behalf of whoever is under attack for standing up for what is right and good.
- I will not be afraid of what mere mortals can do and take action on behalf of someone who is being attacked.
- I will search out the facts behind “propaganda,” especially regarding elections. The key question is, “How does it line up with God’s character and His word?”
- I will take refuge in the LORD and cry out to Him in the midst of all the troubles around me..
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