Pray 3!

Pray 3!

Psalm 145:18 AMPC

[18] The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.

This is a song written by David, and it is very important to keep reminding myself that no matter which part of David's life you read or hear about, he was called a man after God's own heart, by God Himself. We also know that some of David's songs were a reflection of his situation or challenge at the time. Sometimes, he was asking God for mercy after his sins of adultery and murder, and sometimes, he was asking God for protection from his enemies who just wanted hin dead. This amazing fact about David made him special to God: he knew what made God happy, and he would do it frequently and wholeheartedly. I must learn this, and also apply it to myself. Interestingly, this psalm from where the verse above is taken is not tied to any specific event in the life of David; it is just titled a song of praise. Can I access grace to praise God even when it does not appear that events around me make sense? 

Though David did not have any specific need at this time, his message in the verse above is instructive for us at this time. It is human for us to think God is near us only when things appear to be fine. We rejoice when our needs are met; we are excited at the acquisition of new things or the achievement of milestones in our lives, but what happens when the above is not our regular reality? How do I respond when it seems that I have come against an irresistible wall or an unbreakable fortress? Would I be able to keep the same attitude and commitments that I had when things seemed to be great? I take comfort from the words of David in the verse above: God is not a tap that switches on and off according to man's needs or wants. He is God all of the time, no matter what my current circumstances look like. God is Omnipresent, and He is always there for anyone who seeks to call on Him for help with absolutely anything. 

A word of caution, though. As the verse above makes clear, note that we are dealing with a God of absolute knowledge, who knows all about me, and cannot be deceived. There are terms and conditions for engagement, when it comes to this God. Like the people of Israel came to know, the same God who secured the land flowing with milk and honey for His people also handed them over to enemies when they rebelled against God. You cannot afford hypocrisy and eye-service here. You cannot get away with deception. I must come to God sincerely, and seek Him in truth. He knows my heart, because He created it. There are no secrets that the created can keep from its Creator. He is both the Lion and the Lamb; He is both our Salvation and the Judge of all the earth, but whatever good He offers is subject to my submission to and acceptance of Him as my Lord and Saviour. Call on Him today. He is near, and wants to bring you into eternal rest. Let Him. God's time of favour is here.