Skip to main content

Selah


There is a site that I have just registered and I am hoping that in due time it will serve a great purpose. It is www.heartofjonathan.com. For now it is just a skeleton with only a couple of articles and an about page. To put it simply, it is a site for ministers to pray for and uplift one another. Hopefully, sooner than later, there will be a place where preachers can sign up, receive weekly emails, and share in the wonderful blessing of encouraging and being encouraged. For now, I am going to simply post two articles on this blog that I have written on heartofjonathan.com. Each post is on paticular verses in Psalms that end with "Selah."
 
Psalms 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

When I reflect on the times that I have prayed, I'm amazed at how often my petitions quickly began with a barrage of personal needs and desires. If such prayers could be formulated into one scripted scene it would be like this -

(Josh quickly comes before the throne of grace)

Josh: Hi God!

God: Hello my chi.. (Is interrupted)

Josh: Alright, well let's get down to business! No time for chatting and all, I've got so much to get done. Ha, you know how that goes.

God: Wel.. (Interrupted again)

Josh: So anyway, here is my “to-do list”, I'll just leave it here at your feet... (Awkward pause) Well, I'd love to stay, but I've got to make some visits and run a few errands. Oh, speaking of errands, could you give special attention to my request about safety while traveling this week. I will be going to a big conference several hours away. Thanks again!

(Josh quickly leaves the throne of grace)


The beginning of Psalms 67 is a passionate prayer to God. Three requests are revealed in verse one. Mercy (or lovingkindness) and Blessings are the first two. I can genuinely say that I often ask for God's mercy, grace, and blessings for daily living. I don't believe there is any true Christian that does not ask, at least on a regular basis, for such things. While Protection and Provision are often where I begin and end in prayer, to my shame, Presence is rarely sought after. Notice though that the Psalmist writes, “cause His face to shine upon us.” He did not put this last, because it concerned him the least. No. As you read throughout this chapter, you will see it beams forth with a heart that longs for God's presence to be manifested and for His name to be exalted throughout all the earth. In the kingdom of heaven, prayer is not just about asking, but about adoring. May we never forget that the throne of grace is not only where the soul releases its burdens, but also where it rejoices in God's beauty. Psalms 67:6-7 says, “Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.”

Oh Lord, forgive me for the times that I've solely asked for you to SEND YOUR GRACE. May my prayers always begin with a holy cry that You would SHEW FORTH YOUR GLORY.
 
 
Psalms 143:6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. (KJV)
 
For several weeks, during Sunday evening services, I have been teaching on the subject of “Holy Hunger.” Each message focuses on specific characters in scripture who longed for God’s glory and presence, ranging from King David to the apostle Paul. It has been both uplifting and convicting to study why many in the Bible would not settle for less, when it came to seeking the face of God. Sadly, the “American Church” by and large has a wide range of denominations, but when it comes to individual believers having spiritual desire, it is few and far between. There is an increase of programs and yet a decrease of passion. It seems that we have forgotten that there is an “organ” in organization. There must be a beating heart behind our activity. May we come back to the simple, childlike wonder of adoring and magnifying God. Are you thirsty? Praise the Lord that there is a lavish supply of His grace and the Divine call has always been, “Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters: and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self surrender that accepts the blessing] (Isaiah 55:1 – AMP).”
DSCF2852
God, I pray that you would open our eyes to see the beauty of Your grace and presence once more and give us a Holy hunger and thirst to never stop seeking Your face.
I leave with you a simple outline that reveals three areas that can stifle our passion for God.
I. PRIDEFUL HEART
1 Peter 5:5 – 7, Philippians 2:3
Pride in a position and a love for the praise of men is a terrible combination to the child of God (John 12:43).
II. PRAYERLESS LIFE
James 5:16 – 18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
When we don’t pray, we can be sure that Doubts will Arise, Decisions will Fail, and Desire will Crumble.
(This includes a life of not only supplication, but also meditation in God’s Word. This is imperative.)
III. PURPOSELESS ACTIONS
This is where one is consumed with material possessions that he lacks spiritual perception. It is where everyday life has become a dead end routine of business and obligations rather than a pathway to blessings and opportunities. Whether we are at work, at home, or at a worship service, may we be perceptive and ready for opportunities to shine God’s light.
“Don’t let your busyness rob you of God’s blessing.”
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wanderers

One night I dreamed of a massive crowd aimlessly wandering through an empty town I tried to stop several people as they passed by But they paid me no heed, as If deaf and blind Finally I happened upon a somber, yet curious lad He asked me, “What brings you to the Town of Misled?” I said, “I'm not sure how I got here, nor for what reason.” “Well then” The boy smirked without hesitation “You're in good company alright, for we are all met with the same plight. Our vision is impaired, our understanding is empty. Indeed we are stuck in endless mediocrity.” Once more I looked around at all the hollow expressions Then stared back at the tattered boy with deep compassion “What can I do to help you and all of these poor souls? Perhaps some money for food, a strong education, and fine clothes?” The boy began to cry, while shaking his head “You don't get it sir, we already have plenty we possess. Our needs lie not in material wealth and f...
1 comment
Read more

Star Light

I remember, when I was a child, my brother and I wanted to camp out in our front yard. We even talked our friends into joining us. We begged our parents to let us sleep out under the stars without a tent, because it would not rain that evening. It was somewhat foolish, but we were not thinking about the insects, strong winds, or even the morning dew. We just thought it would be fun to sleep outside. I think we lasted a solid hour in the dark, but once the cold wind blew and the mosquitoes landed, our imagination dissipated and we ran back indoors. Though we didn't stay out long, I do remember the stars that night. They were unusually bright and seemed to crowd the sky more than any other night. I don't think I will ever “grow out of” being in awe over the beauty of stars. I don't believe King David did either. He wrote in Psalms 19, “ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shar...
Post a Comment
Read more

By Fighting or by Faith?

    I have spent many years sitting under hard 'conservative' preaching where there has been a mile long list of do's and don't's and a standardized belief that the Christian life must be choosing what is good, better, and best. Here's an example.... Bob: You don't have a tie for service today? Tom: I am sorry, I did not know I was supposed to wear one. Bob: Well, it's the fact of what is good, better, and best! Tom: Oh, why is that? Bob: A tie is better. It makes you look distinguished. You don't want to look sloppy for God now do you? Tom: No. I suppose not. I just came to worship God. I did not know there was more involved. What kind of a tie should I wear to honor God? Bob: What kin.....well, um...you need one that matches the suit you should wear. Tom: I'm not good at matching, what if I don't have the right color. Will God be offended? Bob: Oh no! That is silly nonsense. So, Tom goes on his way. Buys himself...
1 comment
Read more