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).”

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.”