Friday, August 27, 2021

FMF: Desperate

“Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.”
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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6 comments:

  1. good reminder for me today, to remember that what I do, needs to be for God's glory. FMF15

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  2. amen, may all I do be done for His glory as well.

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  3. This is very insightful, Amie! Both of those pleas are not ones we usually consider when we ask God for help. Thank you for this reminder! (Karen, FMF #4)

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  4. Oh, how true, I often ask things of God that benefit me. My hearts desire is that all things be done for His glory. Thanks for a powerful reminder.

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  5. The tumour in my neck is bad,
    stealing so much breath,
    and in this run of days gone mad,
    Lord, I'm scared to death,
    but all around the world spins on
    the devil's victory;
    in the face of hell is it wrong
    that I should pray for me?
    The refugees crowd at the gates
    and no one seems to care
    about their bleak and dismal gates;
    how can one man compare?
    In the despairing howling din,
    is my prayer for aid a sin?

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  6. Happy to see you back.
    Thanks for sharing this insightful post.
    Visiting from #30

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