Psalm 17

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake, 17:15.

In this psalm, as in many of his psalms, David surveys the juxtaposition between the righteous and the unrighteous, between those who seek God and those who don’t. In verse 14 he writes of those who have their portion in this life; there are those who find their portion in God and then there are those who find their portion in this life; harkening back to Psalm 1 there are two kinds of people.

Jesus teaches us to build up treasure in heaven and warns us that our hearts can only be in one of two places and that we cannot serve two masters. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The promises to the Seven Churches in Revelation center around the Presence of God and intimacy with Him, the consummation of the ages focuses on God’s people being in God’s presence; on God’s presence being with God’s people.

We read in Psalm 16:5, “Yahweh is the portion of my inheritance and my cup…” Is Jesus Christ enough for us? Is union with and in the Trinity enough for us? Are we fully satisfied with Jesus Christ or must we look elsewhere for fulfillment and satisfaction?

Is a bride enough for a bridegroom? Is a bridegroom enough for a bride? There are marriages in which the answer is “no”. There are proposed marriages that are canceled because issues arise that demonstrate that the marriage relationship is not enough in and of itself to fully satisfy the bride or the groom. There are marriages that break up because the groom or the bride is no longer enough for the other spouse.

Is Jesus Christ enough for us? Is knowing Jesus and being with Jesus for eternity enough for us? Is beholding the face of Jesus in daily life enough? Are we…will we…be satisfied simply with Jesus Christ?

Paul’s desire after many years of following Jesus continued to be: That I may know Him. The constant throughout Paul’s writings is Jesus Christ. Paul and the other Apostles can write letters addressing local circumstances and never lose their focus because their focus is always Jesus – this is one reason why their letters, inspired by the Holy Spirit, transcend time and place – the eternal Jesus captures their thoughts and holds all things together.

Give me a writer of any time and any place whose focus is Jesus Christ and that writer will benefit me today. On the other hand, give me a person whose message is driven by the daily news and I will give you a writer or teacher or preacher whose work will be of little or no benefit to future generations – let alone our own. The daily news is parochial and self-centered; Jesus Christ is transcendent and centered in God our Father; the former orientation is a tar pit, the latter is our destiny.

Bill's Prayer Journal

Last week I had coffee with a brother who I hadn't seen since 1996. During our time together Bill shared about his experience in praying for others. As I listened to his testimony I thought, "It would be great if he'd write about this." What follows is Bill's first description of his prayer journey. I hope this is an encouragement to you and I hope that Bill will share more of how God is using intercessory prayer to encourage him and others - thank you Bill for sharing your testimony!

PRAYER JOURNAL INSPIRED BY GOD

In 2004, God laid it on my heart to start a prayer journal.  At first, it was prayer requests for family members, friends, and people from church and work.  Every once in a while I would get the courage to ask someone I was talking to on the phone if there was someone or a need I could put in my prayer journal so I could be praying for them.  But one day God clearly showed me that He wanted me to go beyond my comfort zone and also to reach out to strangers wherever He placed them in my path.

One day in Shoney’s I noticed a couple in the back of the restaurant who looked like they were really struggling.  I finished my lunch and paid and walked out to my car.  But then God said to me, “What are you doing?  That couple inside needs to know that someone cares and wants to lift their needs up in prayer.”  So I got a notepad, went back inside, and told them that God wanted me to let them know that He loved them and wanted me to pray for them.  The joy that filled their hearts that someone cared enough to share God’s love and to pray for them was overwhelmingly shining on their faces.  We prayed together before I left and I told them that I would continue to lift them up in prayer.  The joy in my heart from this experience cannot be expressed in words. 

Thus began a prayer journey for me that has been going on for over nine years and a prayer journal that now has nearly two thousand entries.  Over the next several weeks, I will share with you the amazing journey I have experienced through my prayer journal which is inspired by God.

My purpose for doing this blog entry is to give God all the praise and glory for answered prayers while, at the same time, to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to those who need someone to say, “God loves YOU and He wants me to pray for you.”

God bless you!

~Bill