As a supplement to the devotional from yesterday, I wanted to share a deeper look at God’s benefits. I am certain God is trying to teach us all something about being completely tapped in to all that He is and trusting Him more…
Today, while praying over something that I often pray about and have for the last several years…I asked God, “How do You want me to pray about this? I want to pray prayers that are answered, I don’t want to just worry in prayer.” Immediately, as I thought this…I saw my hand and in the palm was a white dove. Then it flew away. The Holy Spirit came down on Jesus in the form of a dove when He was baptized…I knew, this dove represented the Holy Spirit.
Still, I wondered, what does this mean about my prayers? Then I heard the words, “Forget not His benefits,” in my mind.
So, I went to my Bible and found this Psalm…
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits- Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children- with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. The Lord has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word. Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will. Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103
Sometimes when we pray, we are to contend. Sometimes, we need to partner long term with a request and refuse to let it go. But there are other times, when God says to release, so that’s what we should do. If you want to pray answered prayers, then you absolutely must partner with Holy Spirit. Ask how to pray for each thing, and then tailor your prayers. It’s not really one size fits all…it’s about relationship and intimacy. It’s about listening, learning, and growing. Right now, I have things I’ve prayed for a long time and its now time to fully release them to God. I’ve done the work of petitioning, but if God shifts the focus, then we have to be attentive.
Knowing all the benefits God listed above, makes that easier. It’s a comfort. I can rest upon them. I can trust. If God is Who He says He is, then I can also trust that He’ll do what He says He’ll do…I can trust His benefits…and so can you.
365 Days in the Presence 