June 2

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Good Morning,

Today’s readings are: 2 Samuel 19:11 to 20:13, John 21:1-25, Psalm 120:1-7,
& Proverbs 16:16-17

In today’s reading the psalmist cries out to God:

I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my
prayer. 2 Rescue me, O Lord, from liars and from all deceitful people.
Psalm 120:1-2 (NLT)

As we read through the Bible, we see over and over again prayers of people
who tell it like it is. They just pour out their hearts to God, even if it
is God that they are unhappy with.

I don’t know about your prayers, but I find in mine I am usually much more
reserved. I don’t think I have ever told God I was unhappy with Him or
anything He has done or not done.

If you read very many of the psalms you also find prayers for not only
deliverance but for justice, bold prayers for destruction of an enemy.

I don’t pray that way.

If your prayers are more like mine than the psalmists, why do you suppose
that is?

Maybe our relationship with God and others have changed from Old Testament
times.

When the God of all the universe is hanging on a cross and praying for the
Father to forgive the ones who put Him there, it sets a new, and pretty bold
example.

Jesus said:

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 5:44 (NLT)

If you have time today, read this passage in Matthew 5 about our
interpersonal relations with those that we do not get along with.

We, God’s children, have been given the privilege of not only knowing God,
but of having Him live in our hearts. We not only walk with Him and talk
with Him, He leads and directs us moment by moment, if we get out of the way
and allow Him to.

We do not need to be afraid or hesitate to talk to God about anything. We
can really pour our hearts out to Him. (let’s face it, He already knows what
is going on anyway)

However, the way we pray for others, I think has either changed or perhaps
we have just become more educated in how God wants us to pray for them. We
are educated by the example of Jesus.

May we continue to be educated by the supreme example set by our Lord and
Savior, Jesus!

Dave

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