A Framework of Faith
Opening Prayer
Praise God now for the truth that he greatly blesses his children, including you, with many good things.
Read Psalm 5:1-12
[1] For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David. Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. [2] Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. [3] In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. [4] For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. [5] The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; [6] you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest. [7] But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. [8] Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies- make your way straight before me. [9] Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. [10] Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. [11] But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. [12] Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do we learn about the Lord's nature here?David is in distress (1,2). We don’t know why, but that doesn’t really matter. The way he prays in his distress is a model for us all. What he does is establish what we might call a “framework of faith.” On the one hand, he states with confidence that God takes no pleasure at all in evil or in wickedness (4-6, 9,10). Everything he knows about God, from his Word and from his experience, leads him to this conclusion. There’s another side to this as well. God is merciful to those who come humbly into his presence (7,8). He provides refuge and protection to the needy (11,12). This, David proclaims with confidence, is simply how things are. It is within the framework of this reality that he understands and makes sense of his present distress. It is this “framework of faith” that gives David hope for the future. We, too, can use this same “framework of faith”–God’s opposition to evil, yet his protection of those who come to him–to understand and cope with whatever problems we face, just as David did.
Apply
Bring any distress or challenges you face to God in prayer, using this very same “framework of faith.”
Closing prayer
I praise You, Lord, that You stand firm against all evil and hear and answer the cries of all who come to You. Thank You.
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