Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

If a sincere believer is struggling with any of these things it does not cancel his prayer. This is re- ferring to those who are actively seeking ‘evil’ as a way of life and practice. God is for us even when we are battling for victory in our souls.

Worship, the Heart of Prayer- 7,8

David has pressed past the deadly prayer killers and now comes to worship, the most intimate mo- ments of communion with the Lord. “ Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; with deep- est awe I will worship at your Temple.”(7) He comes to God on the basis of his love, not on his own merit. He is experiencing this worship in God’s house, with others who are hungering for God’s presence. David has not let this experience become familiar, he never ceases to be filled with awe in the sweet- ness of God’s presence! In this time of tenderness and holiness David’s truest prayer emerges:

“ Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.”(8)

Because of the closeness of their relationship, David could hear God clearly in critical moments of his life. This is illustrated in the story from 1 Samuel 23. “ One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the lord, should I go and attack them?’ ‘Yes, go and save Keilah,’ the Lord told him. But David’s men said, ‘ We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!’ so David asked the lord again, and again the Lord replied, ‘Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.’”(1 Sam. 23:1-4) Prayer and worship are two of the most vital means of communion where God meets with us and can lead us in specific directions. Those who reject the way of prayer and worship and embrace the sins that separate us from God will never experience the assurance of God’s guidance. • They are untruthful: “ My enemies cannot speak one truthful word. • They are destructive: “ Their deepest desire is to destroy others. ” • They are offensive: “ Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. ” (David, the master poet, paints an unforgettable picture!) • They are deceitful: “ Their speech is filled with flattery. ” II THEIR MANY SINS - The Enemies of Prayer 9, 10

Their judgment is something to be avoided.

“ O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they rebel against you.”(9,10)

III YOUR SHIELD OF LOVE - The Elation of Prayer 11,12

Those who have made prayer and worship a part of their life will find protection and much joy in His presence. Though David experienced sorrow and anguish, he always bounced back with a joyful song of confidence and was miraculously preserved by the God he loved. “ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.”(11) A refuge is a spiritual oasis where the enemy is not allowed to hunt. ‘Joyful praises,’ is translated many times as “ a shout of joy ” and is similar in mood to when there is a victory celebration at a sports contest. “ Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.”(11) God’s protection gives us the confidence to rejoice. His name becomes a refuge for us, and singing his praise fills us with joy. “ For you bless the godly, O Lord, surrounding them with your shield of love.” (12) This shield is not the small one worn on the arm of the warrior but the large one that protected the entire body on the battlefield. On the outside, it is made of God’s divine supply of love, on the inside, it is lined with ‘our faith’ making it an impenetrable shield that no fiery dart of the enemy can pierce

1 Apel, heading “flute”

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