A Frank Talk with Jesus

When was the last time you heard someone, your children or grandchildren ask,
"How long until we get there?"
"How long until we eat?"
"How long until this Coronavirus is over?"

What week are we into this global pandemic?
For so many of us, it is too long.

David knew what it was to wait for relief, for rescue, for help. So, God inspired him to write Psalm 13. Take a moment to read these 6 verses. Read it again. Can you see the three prayer sections? v 1-2, v 3-4, v 5-6

v 1-2 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

David's problem. David's honest questions to God. David's spiritual feeling and spiritual reality that he feels...

• Like he is not on God's mind
• Like God had left him
• Like he is not hearing God's counsel so he has to settle for his own
• Like his enemies are winning this battle

Is this an honest confession of his soul/spiritual condition?

What is your soul and spiritual condition these days?
Do you feel close to Jesus or distant?
How are you responding to this "shelter in place" time?
Spend some time asking Jesus to help you see your real spiritual condition...

v 3-4 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

How many prayers does David pray?
How does David address God?
"O Lord" = Jehovah = Covenant Keeping God
"God "= Elohim = Creator

"Enlighten my eyes..."

What a prayer request!
Pray this for yourself. Pray that for your family. Pray this for Southtown Baptist Church. Pray this for everyone you know. Pray that God's face will shine on each of us. Pray that God will bring us out of spiritual darkness and into the light. Pray this for the world.

v 5-6  But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

What are the three ways David experiences God?
"Your lovingkindness" = checed = zeal to do kindness
"Your salvation" = yeshuwah = that which is delivered
"dealt bountifully with me" =  gamal = to deal out lavishly

God answered David's prayer bountifully.
How is God answering your prayers?
Ponder Ps 13. Can you see God eagerly and zealously desiring to bless you bountifully?
Let Him bless you. Receive. Marvel. Enjoy. Pray for others.

Being blessed together,
Pastor Chris

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