Author: Dana Hagstrom

Psalm 143 – Hear My Prayer

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This psalm really has some juicy nuggets in it. There are so many requests going on. Remember that movie when Jim Carrey played God, I think it was Bruce Almighty. Well, I remember a scene where he was hearing all the prayer requests and he was overwhelmed. Couldn’t fathom at first how God could ever answer all of them.

I know that is a silly example, but it’s true. When we think of all the prayers God hears and he answers them all. In this psalm alone, we see David praying that (1) God will come quickly, (2) God not turn away, (3) God be heard every morning, (4) God show him the path, (5) God rescue from enemies, (6) God teach, (7) God silence enemies, (8) God destroy foes and so on. That is a relatively short prayer, but it is sure packed with requests.

But note, amidst the requests, there are beautiful affirmations. God is faithful and righteous, has done great works, shows unfailing love, and is gracious. God appreciates our adoration, and that should be the easy part of our prayers. Easy, but often forgotten.

Think about your prayer life. When you talk to God is it conversational or more like a plea full of requests? Do you shower him with praise and adoration, telling him of his greatness? Do you come with a grateful heart?

Do you think of God as your best friend or as a untouchable deity? The psalmist seems to be doing a good job of doing both. He is raw in his cries for help but mindful of who he is praying to.

Our prayers don’t need to be elaborate. They just need to be. We need to be talking with God and sharing our lives with him. Sure, he knows what we think before we think it and all of that, but he yearns to hear it come from us. He longs for a relationship with his children.

Reflect on your prayer life and how you can make it more meaningful for you and for God.

Let’s pray. Lord you are majestic and mighty. You have made all that is, and the beauty of your creation astounds me. Thank you that you have put me in your world to enjoy you in this way. Forgive me when I forge on ahead before bringing you into the plan. I want you to be Lord of my life. Guide me and move me in the direction you want me to go. Help me to listen for your voice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 142 – Help Me!

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If you were to write a psalm today, a song about your place in life, what would it look like? This psalm is ascribed to David as he is in a cave. He sounds a bit forlorn and very lonely.

While none of us are probably in a cave, we may be in a place where we feel alone. Did you know you can be in a huge crowd of people but still be alone? It’s happened to me, and I’m sure it’s happened to you. Think of an airport for example. You’ll see lots of people milling about, but most of them won’t even notice you. Most of them are so caught up in their own travel destination and itinerary to keep you company.

Maybe your psalm will be one of joyful singing for you have just received a promotion at work, become a grandparent for the first time, or have helped someone out of a jam (boy does that feel good)! It’s easy to sing praise when we are feeling joy.

God’s hand is at work in our lives in the everyday, and sometimes we forget that. He is certainly at work in every sunrise and sunset, in the beauty of creation that surrounds us. But for us personally, sometimes we feel abandoned. Maybe he is too busy helping my neighbor. But no, God is there for us all.

Verse 2 made me smile. “I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles.” Sometimes my prayer time does look like this. But I’m certain God wants to hear from us so bad, and like a good friend he is ready to hear the good and the bad. He wants to be in our lives no matter what is happening.

We need to remember that God is good. Always. Forever.

Let’s pray. Lord you are good and your mercies endure forever. I long for the day I am in your presence singing with all the heavenly hosts. For now, I love that you have put me in a place where I can make a difference. I want to feel your presence coursing through my veins. May you be in the air I breathe and the words I speak. Show me those that need to hear a word from you today and speak through me. Use me to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 141 – Guard My Mouth

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When I started reading this psalm, I thought I was going to talk about rushing the Lord. The psalmist comes right out and says, “Please hurry.” I can certainly resonate with this, wanting God’s answer now, or even yesterday would be nice. But God’s timing is perfect, I am often reminded of this. That’s why patience is a virtue, one that I am still working on.

But verse 3 is what struck a chord for me, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” How many times have you said something and wished you hadn’t? Maybe you had good intentions, but what you said was misinterpreted? I think we all have a good number of these experiences and wish we didn’t. Words spoken that we wish we could take back.

Here, I think the psalmist is wanting to take care to avoid falling into the trap of evil. If he speaks of things that are evil or talks with those who do evil, there is a fear that he will lose his path to God. Do you see it this way, too? It’s like he knows that if he starts talking a certain way, he won’t find favor with God anymore.

I know that for me, when I start to gossip, for instance, there is an eerie feeling of uneasiness that is like a dark cloud surrounding me. I know it’s a sin to gossip and speak of others in a negative light. Untruths can spread like wildfire this way. Do you know this uneasy feeling? I’m pretty sure some would call this my conscience. I think of it as the Holy Spirit inside me cringing. “Shape up, Dana, you know better” is playing over and over in my head.

So, asking for God’s help in controlling our mouth or guarding our words is something we should ask for regularly.

Let’s pray. Thank you God for all the beautiful things that surround me. I know they are from your hand for my enjoyment. Help me to have a grateful heart today. Guard my mouth and the words I speak that they will glorify you. May no evil thoughts come to mind or be spoken. I want to focus on you and your great provision for me. Thank you for how you are moving in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Psalm 140 – Protect Me

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The psalmist, David, is in fear of the evil around him. He cries out to God for rescue and protection. He knows God is there for him. He recalls the protection on the “day of battle”. There were, in fact, many days of battle in which God protected David.

This psalm reminds us that evil and enemies are not new to our time. We may want to try and qualify that our evil is worse, but evil is evil. Nothing good can come from the “hands of the wicked.”

I wonder here if the psalmist is a bit paranoid. I think we have all had those moments when we think people are talking badly of us, or plotting something against us. Or am I the only one? One might think so with David here, but there were times chronicled in David’s life where he was on the run, hiding for safety, and fearful.

I think our take-away could be something like – God will protect us from those who slander and abuse us. We need to call upon him and trust for his deliverance, as did David. Our troubles and brushes with evil are not too much for God. He is on the ready to be our knight in shining armor.

Are you calling on God for help?

Let’s pray. Father, you are the great rescuer and redeemer. Why is it so hard to remember that when I forge out on my own? Thank you for your forgiveness and great love for me. You forgive my shortcomings, and they are forgotten. You know the cries of my heart. I long for the day I see them revealed. In your time, Lord, I know. Give me patience to wait. Today I ask for you to bless all the children in our village and particularly our church. They need a special word from you to let them know you are near. Bring our sweet dog home and keep her safe while we’re apart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 139 – God Knows

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This is one of my favorite psalms, I had forgotten how much I love it.  I hope you enjoy it, too.

So many profound truths that we often take for granted. Let’s unpack a few of these:

God knows everything about us. From our actions to our thoughts, there is no limit, we cannot hide from God. When you think about that, are there things you’ve done or thought that you wish God didn’t know about?

God goes before us. He has sent Jesus for us to feel what humans feel. Jesus has given us the example to follow.  And we cannot escape God’s Spirit. His presence is always with us. Now that can be a huge comfort when we’re afraid, nervous, unsure, sad, or lonely. What beautiful pictures this psalm paints.

God made us complex. We often take the beauty of our bodies for granted. These verses just remind me of how great our God is. Those that study medicine must have a deeper understanding of the complexities of our inner parts. I know as I get older, I’m watching a sag here and there. Our bodies aren’t meant to last, we are destined for eternity with God.

And to think God knew us from the beginning. While we were still in our mothers’ womb. He is keeping track of us. His book must be immense. And to think of all the poor souls who don’t know him or his love.  God saw us all.  The psalmist wants God to destroy the wicked. While evil, God created them, too.

Take a moment to just reflect on the truths of this psalm and how much we mean to God. I’ve often heard it said, that our picture would be on God’s refrigerator – he is that proud and in love with us.

Let’s pray. Lord you are so good to me. Bring me to a place of comfort today and wipe away my tears. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in  me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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