April 16, 2015 – Thursday

Start Time:  6:10 AM

End Time:   6:27 AM

Title: A Song.  A Psalm Of Asaph. 

Scripture: Psalm 83:1 – 18

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ Today in chapter 83, I want to talk about Asaph's words in a different perspective.  I already spoke of his faith and his commitment to God that despite of the oppression and attacks of the enemies against him and the people of Israel.  Today, I want to focus on Asaph's relationship with God, particularly, his prayer life.  Read chapter 83 again and you will find that Asaph's prayer was not the usual standard prayer we have in mind or we are taught of.  This doesn't include asking for forgiveness, or wishing good things to his enemies, or a portion for praise and worship, or any other pattern that we were taught to follow when we pray to God.  In fact, this psalm or this prayer is about Asaph pouring out his deepest emotions to God.  He talks about "revenge" in a way for his enemies; he spoke of bad things to happen to them; he spoke of the defeat Israel has.  He spoke of making the enemies consumed by fire; of their enemies being ashamed and dismayed and perish.  Now, don't you think this prayer doesn't fit any of the rules or standards we have been taught to do when praying to God?  But you know what this psalm is still considered a prayer to God.  That's because God wants our hearts and our deepest thoughts when we pray to Him, not something that we practice or we were taught to say.  God wants to hear our words straight from the heart and not out of the book we memorized.  God wants our prayers to be intimate, to be personal and to be our way out or our outlet; it is the time to speak of everything we have been keeping inside to God.  May we have the same openness and intimacy like Asaph did to God.  We should not be afraid to tell the Lord everything, even the things we thought of badly or not in accordance to what is right.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, what a great message.  Thank You Lord for teaching me that I can tell You everything, not just the things I think You want to hear.  Thank You Lord that in my prayer time with You, I can be myself and not hide.  I can speak of anything that crosses my heart and mind to You without the fear of judgment because in my prayer time, it is my time of intimacy with You, with Your full grace and security.  Lord help me to develop this practice that I may be able to tell You everything including the things I am afraid to talk about.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!