CRY OUT!

TODAY’S READING: Josh. 7,8; Ps. 69; 1 Cor. 5
SCRIPTURE

Ps. 69:16-18 Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me. [17] Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. [18] Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

OBSERVATON

The psalmist cries out to the LORD, Answer me, answer me quickly, come near, rescue me, redeem me because of my foes.
When we first read this we think that someone, or a group of people are attacking, or picking on the psalmist. By what if the foes are of his own making? Attitudes that need attention, habits that need help, character that needs change.
Out of the goodness of your love, in your great mercy, come near, rescue me redeem me.
The psalmist cried out to the LORD, so should we. We need to name our foes, and claim His salvation.

APPLICATION

I can look back and see that I'm not were I was, but as I look forward I know I'm not where I need to be. So without naming all my foes for they are many. I cry out, answer my prayer, change me, and deliver me from my foes. From inappropriate language, from rotten attitudes, from pridefulness, arrogance, and selfishness, from laziness, and lusts, and loathing.

PRAYER

Father,
Rescue me, redeem me, extend your mercy and your goodness.
Where there is pride, make me mindful of my place in the universe
Where there is arrogance, make me humble
Where there is selfishness, remind me of Christ's selflessness
When I'm lazy, kick me in the butt, let passion burn within my soul, so I just can't stop.
When I lust, especially for food I don't need, remind me that I am not lacking.
When I loathe people and their politics, rescue me from my self-righteousness, and teach me to redeem all things and everyone. Show me ways to live out the fruits of the Spirit, especially, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
I cry out to you, rescue me, redeem me, extend your mercy and your goodness.