Turning Points in Prayer
The Psalms
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In the early days of my new life in Christ, I would often skim through the many verses in the Psalms about the wicked; they seemed wearisome. In fact, when I decided to script an entire Psalm on a large piece of parchment, I chose Psalm 145 because it only contained one line about the wicked!
But these days, I have been greatly comforted in every word of the Psalms that lets me know I am not alone in my questions of “Why?” “Why would God allow so much evil?” I deeply appreciate the honestly of the Psalmists.
Almost every Psalm contains a turning point from grief and blurry vision to joy and focused vision. Following are a few of these comforting, turning-point verses I found just this morning that were written directly after verses of intense distress and depression. Declaring them out loud ministers to me, and I hope it ministers to you as well!
Psalm 3:3 But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly one for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.
Psalm 5:7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness [hesed] I will enter Your house; at Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
Psalm 9:7-10 But the Lord abides as King forever; He has established His throne for judgment, and He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. The Lord will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble; And those who know Your name will put their trust in You for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 10:16-18 The Lord is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land. O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.
Psalm 13:5-6 But I have trusted in Your faithfulness [hesed]; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord continually before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 73:16, 17, 28 When I thought of understanding this [the surrounding evil], it was troublesome in my sight, until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. 28As for me, the nearness of God is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so that I may tell of all Your works.
Psalm 102:12 But You, Lord, remain forever and Your name remains to all generations.
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Blessings and love in Him,
Beth Ann