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SELAH- Psalm 21
STOP
Whenever I go through tough situations, I think of them in Before and After. Before the situation and after. In the psalms, Before the situation, we saw David ask the Lord to give him the desires of his heart. After, he praises the Lord that he did indeed give him the desires of his heart. How do you respond to situations? Do you pray before the problems come along? Do we take a few minutes before it happens to give it over to God? What about after? Do we then praise God for what he has done? Identify where you are today. Are you about to face a tough situation that you need to pray about or are you coming out of one that you need to give God the glory? Take some time to do that today.
Lastly, all of what’s on your mind, your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, the expectations, your agendas, your to-do lists, and imagine them in this same Before/After structure. How are you praying before what's on your mind? How are you responding when God moves in those things in your life?
EXHALE
Next, breathe. Breath in and out. Find peace in Christ. When you are ready, pray this simple prayer a few times while still focusing on your breathing.
As you inhale pray, “Be Exalted, O Lord” As you exhale, pray, “in your strength”(13)
LOOK
Let’s look at the word of God today. When God speaks, it’s important for us to pay attention. Read these words slowly and carefully. Read it a few times. Notice which words or phrases stick out to you.
“O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. You welcomed him with rich blessings and places of crow of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him-length of day, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him eternal blessings; and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken[...]Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might. ”(Psalm 21: 1-7;13 NIV)
ASK
What stood out to you? Highlight/mark it in your bible. Psalm 20 was written as a prayer before going out to war, whereas Psalm 21 is giving glory to God for the victory that the Lord brought in the war. Before the situation, David prays to the Lord, acknowledges that the Lord will bring the victory. Afterwards, David instantly brings the glory back to the Lord, who provided the victory. What was your response the last time you overcame an obstacle? Was it the same as David, here, giving glory to God? Or did you consider your own merit to be what brought the success? Did you praise the Lord when the situation was over? Regardless of the outcome? If you had prayed and not received the situation you wanted, not received the desires of your heart, how did it affect the way that you will pray the next time? What difference does it make knowing ultimate victory belongs to God?
HEAR
What is God saying to you? Listen to hear his still small voice. Quiet your mind and search your heart. Now pray: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” You are waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit, still your heart and mind. Based on the scripture you read today, God’s words to you, is there anything God is asking you to do? Read the scripture again if you need to. God is speaking to you through it. To finish up your quiet time, ask yourself this: where does your joy flow from? Is it flowing from receiving the requests that you put forth to the Lord, or is it in the trust to the Lord that God provides. David says that, “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence(6).” David is glad not just because of the blessings, but with the joy of His presence.
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By Matthew D. TownsendSTOP
Whenever I go through tough situations, I think of them in Before and After. Before the situation and after. In the psalms, Before the situation, we saw David ask the Lord to give him the desires of his heart. After, he praises the Lord that he did indeed give him the desires of his heart. How do you respond to situations? Do you pray before the problems come along? Do we take a few minutes before it happens to give it over to God? What about after? Do we then praise God for what he has done? Identify where you are today. Are you about to face a tough situation that you need to pray about or are you coming out of one that you need to give God the glory? Take some time to do that today.
Lastly, all of what’s on your mind, your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, the expectations, your agendas, your to-do lists, and imagine them in this same Before/After structure. How are you praying before what's on your mind? How are you responding when God moves in those things in your life?
EXHALE
Next, breathe. Breath in and out. Find peace in Christ. When you are ready, pray this simple prayer a few times while still focusing on your breathing.
As you inhale pray, “Be Exalted, O Lord” As you exhale, pray, “in your strength”(13)
LOOK
Let’s look at the word of God today. When God speaks, it’s important for us to pay attention. Read these words slowly and carefully. Read it a few times. Notice which words or phrases stick out to you.
“O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. You welcomed him with rich blessings and places of crow of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him-length of day, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him eternal blessings; and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken[...]Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might. ”(Psalm 21: 1-7;13 NIV)
ASK
What stood out to you? Highlight/mark it in your bible. Psalm 20 was written as a prayer before going out to war, whereas Psalm 21 is giving glory to God for the victory that the Lord brought in the war. Before the situation, David prays to the Lord, acknowledges that the Lord will bring the victory. Afterwards, David instantly brings the glory back to the Lord, who provided the victory. What was your response the last time you overcame an obstacle? Was it the same as David, here, giving glory to God? Or did you consider your own merit to be what brought the success? Did you praise the Lord when the situation was over? Regardless of the outcome? If you had prayed and not received the situation you wanted, not received the desires of your heart, how did it affect the way that you will pray the next time? What difference does it make knowing ultimate victory belongs to God?
HEAR
What is God saying to you? Listen to hear his still small voice. Quiet your mind and search your heart. Now pray: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” You are waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit, still your heart and mind. Based on the scripture you read today, God’s words to you, is there anything God is asking you to do? Read the scripture again if you need to. God is speaking to you through it. To finish up your quiet time, ask yourself this: where does your joy flow from? Is it flowing from receiving the requests that you put forth to the Lord, or is it in the trust to the Lord that God provides. David says that, “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence(6).” David is glad not just because of the blessings, but with the joy of His presence.