Psalm 79:8-9, NIV
At some point we've probably all felt we were in desperate need. While that sentiment is subjective, it's pretty easy to agree with the psalmist if you read the entirety of Psalm 79. He and his people were in desperate need.
But there is something that stands out to me about his cry for help. Not only does he ask God to "deliver him" as most of us would, he also asks God to forgive him. It's a beautiful moment of responsibility: I'm sure I've done something wrong, God, but only you can make it right.
The other thing I notice is that his cry for help is not for his own sake, not even for the sake of his people, but "for [God's] name's sake." It reminds me of Moses reasoning with God in the desert: Everyone's going to think you brought us out here to kill us.
I don't know about you, but too often I ask God only for the things that benefit me. Help me pay this bill so I can later spend money on something fun. Help me lose ten pounds so I can look really good when I go to that event. Help me do well on this project so I can seem important. May I learn to look at things differently. May all things I do be done for the glory of God.
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This post is a prompt from Five Minute Friday
and was written in approximately five minutes.
For more information, visit fiveminutefriday.com.
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