Tuesday Reflection, November 10,2020

Keep on Praying. God hears and will answer.

For months there has been some constant requests during my praying. Some things I keep asking God to grant. As I continued to pray this week it suddenly dawned on me that God is answering my prayers and that of many others. There is a new President Elect of the United States of America, one who has already vowed to repair the damage done to the political, social and emotional relationships over the last four years, both locally and internationally. Yes friends. God hears and answers our prayers. There is hope too in the news of the development of drugs, one at 90% success in the trials, that will aid in the fight against the Corona virus. God answers prayers. A prayer to be used generally, Psalm 86 was written by David. It was especially for use in a difficult period. In today’s watchword David calls upon God to give special attention to his situation. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant. Psalm 86: 16.

David calls on God to be his keeper, his savior and his protector. There were so many people and forces that had turned against David, but He knew that what he needed was not for them to turn back to him but for God’s face to be turned towards him. He knew he needed God’s favor and not humanity’s embrace. Dear friends we very often want the world to notice us, to like us and to be receptive of us, not realizing that what we truly need is the favor of God in our lives. It is that longing for worldly acceptance that causes us to do the things that will gain the world’s approval rather than doing that which is pleasing to God. This is why Paul warns us in Romans 12: 2, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. David in wisdom therefore sought God’s face and not humanity’s acceptance. He did not seek people’s likes, but rather depended on God’s love for him. He knew that God could do more for him than any human could, so he kept praying and focusing on God for the help he needed. It should be the same with us. God is able and He wont fail, so trust God and keep praying, He will answer.

David asks God to give him strength. Not to strengthen him, which would be an increase of David’s own strength. Rather he asked that God give him of God’s strength. God can increase our physical strength dear friends. David knew that. He knew of Sampson who had a strength like no other human. He also remembered that he had wrestled with a lion and a bear and had been victorious. Remember also David against Goliath. These feats would have been impossible had it not been for the strength of God given to him in those moments of need. In today’s text David again called on the Lord in his moment of need ‘give your strength to your servant’. We at times are in need of a strength that is more than what we have and at such time all we need to do is call on God and He will provide the resource we need for the moment. In the same way God responded to David, God will also respond to our prayers and like David we will be able to worship and praise, to say ‘In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears.’ 2 Sam 22: 7. Friends, are you able to see God’s hands at work in your life? Can you attest to answered prayers on a personal and a general level? As you continue to petition the throne of heaven, remember to give thanks for answered prayers and remember to keep on praying. The answer you seek may not be forthcoming, but in due time God who hears will answer your prayer.