"Oh God, listen to my complaint." Psalm 64:1
The Complaint Department is one place that I would never want to work. By the time an individual reaches the Complaint Department they usually have already tried to solve their problem themselves and are ready to talk with someone in charge. It takes a special kind of person to hear and rectify problems. Frankly, I don't think I am that special.
King David seems to have some mental and emotional unrest. Individuals have done him wrong. They are speaking untruths and even scheming plans against him in their cunning hearts and minds. King David has had enough. He is now talking to the One in charge of the Complaint Department. He uses the word listen which is translated in the ESV as hear. The Hebrew meaning of the word hear is hear, listen to and obey. David was saying to God, "Listen and do something about this!"
I have never been on the receiving end of vindictive and intentional harm. However, I have had untruths said about me and the old adage "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is simply not true. Words do hurt as much as sticks and stones or in David's case swords and arrows. When this has happened to me, I wish I could say that I took the high road and went straight to the One in charge in the Complaint Department but I did not. I have, on many occasions, failed to go to the Throne instead going to the phone.
I love that David, the King of Israel and powerful warrior, man-after-God's own heart gave us permission to complain to the Lord. What a relief! Many times I think God is not interested in my petty problems. I forget He already knows about them. He is waiting like any Father to hear, listen, and do something about them. King David trusted God to bring justice to him and we can do the same: take refuge in the One in charge of the Complaint Department.
I have never been on the receiving end of vindictive and intentional harm. However, I have had untruths said about me and the old adage "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is simply not true. Words do hurt as much as sticks and stones or in David's case swords and arrows. When this has happened to me, I wish I could say that I took the high road and went straight to the One in charge in the Complaint Department but I did not. I have, on many occasions, failed to go to the Throne instead going to the phone.
I love that David, the King of Israel and powerful warrior, man-after-God's own heart gave us permission to complain to the Lord. What a relief! Many times I think God is not interested in my petty problems. I forget He already knows about them. He is waiting like any Father to hear, listen, and do something about them. King David trusted God to bring justice to him and we can do the same: take refuge in the One in charge of the Complaint Department.
12 Comments:
Morning Girls,
Psalm 66: 18-20
“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
The Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen!
He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
Or withdraw his unfailing love from me.”
In order for us to pray, we must go to God, and since He already knows everything, - we can’t get away with anything. Selfish motives. Hard heart. Bad attitude. Negative thoughts.
You, Lord, absolutely see everything. Wholly, entirely, completely, nothing gets past YOU. Our hearts have to be deserving when we pray. We gamble our own prayers, when we don’t pray them from a right-minded heart.
Lord, I do not want any sin on my heart. Show me any transgression’s so that I can confess them to You. Thank you for listening to me and “paying attention to my prayer.” I want to do what is right in your sight.
Thank you Wendy, and girls for all the insight you leave me with!
Praying,
Lori- AZ
PS Jan, Trusting that today you get home safe and sound!
Today I also underlined Ps 66:20, leaning on the fact that even though I have sinned I have gone to God confessed and turned (repented) with that I know God has forgiven and will still listen and that comforts me.
Wendy I too know the go to the phone instead of the throne. I am still a work in progress on that one. :)
Hope you all are having a nice day.
Blessings,
Lynn
"I have, on many occasions, failed to go to the Throne instead going to the phone." *ouch* Been there, done that!
This morning I focused in on Psalm 66:5-6, "Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him." Psalm 66:5-6
I'm standing on the shore, looking for my Red Sea moment. No boat is in sight and there's only one way to the other side. God!
Red Sea moments frighten us because it's at these times we come face-to-face with a truth that calls for surrender. We realize anew that we are not in control. We stand humbled in the presence of a mighty God and all our words are put to the test. Will we believe that God is able to carry us safely to the other side?
Red Sea moments are crossroads. Will my faith become action? They have tremendous purpose. They put us in a position where we must answer the question, can God be trusted? When everything around me looks completely impossible, will I relinquish myself and my situation into God's hands?
Red Sea moments are often places of suffering. Much agony has travelled with us to this point in time as our accompanying companion. God's greatness is birthed in pain.
Peter jumped out of the boat.
Daniel didn't compromise.
Esther asked to see the King.
A woman found her pots.
A father kept his eyes fixed on the horizon.
A mother believed.
Wondering what step of faith we might all need to take from our shore today? A Red Sea is waiting to divide.
Blessings,
Joy
Goodmorning all,
Just a quick note to let you guys know that I'm still here, just basking in the Psalms and thanking God for His continued Grace and Mercy.
Be blessed all!!
Chanan
Bahamas
p.s. Thanks again Wendy, for being obedient to the call. Be encouraged dear sister.
I'm here too! I think I've underlined more in these Psalms than I've not. Such beauty in David's words; and I notice phrases foreshadowing my Jesus! I LOVE that!
windy in MN (the weather; not me!)
Morgen
Good afternoon everyone, I am another one who wants to check in and let everyone know how much your comments mean to me.
I haven't written much this week, but instead have seemed to be standing in line for the Complaint Department with my Heavenly Father. I need extra time with Him this week as I am battling disobedience in my son, and am just tired. I covet your prayers that I may stand strong in God's strength and continue to look to His individual wisdom for my son and me.
Thanks to each of you. You are all a special part of my life. Special thanks to Wendy, too!
Good afternoon ladies,
Psalms 66:20 is where I am, knowing that even if I am a repented sinner, He still loves me and listens.
My daily walk and how I talk about others, even when I don't mean to complain about them has to be right. If not confessed to God when it is discovered. Most of us have children, for me I have 3 sets of eyes watching how I handle things. They are willing to be Godly men and challenge things said and done that do not line up with God's teaching. I rejoice in that so much especially at this time.
For me sometimes when I have talked to God and gotten the complaint out. Then when I can refocus my energy to a construction means, pray who might be a person from which a new view could be seen. But only if the emotions are out and it is productive. This is what I strive for but am not always successful.
Great sharing girls.
I could use a lot of prayer for my children this week.
Thanks,
Diane
I'm guilty of not always doing this but God impressed upon me today how important thanksgiving and praise are.
"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs." Psalm 69: 30-31
Brought back to memory a song that says "It's amazing what praising can do!" I'm so prone to helplessly look at the problems around me instead of looking up and praising the Lord in the midst of them.
Marilyn
Hello Sisters,
I, too, am here after a beautiful weekend away at the beach for a friend's wedding. They married inside a lighthouse; and had asked me to sing "Shine On Us" (in sign language, of course :)
One evening, I stood on the beach and marveled at the power of the waves, the vastness of the ocean... yet it stopped on the shoreline and came no further. Not even the tantalizing fingers of foam could reach my toes. The moonbeam danced on the waters, reflecting light in the darkness. What a deep sense of contentment to know God is in control.
Today I read Ps 67:1-2, "May God be merciful and bless us. May His face smile with favor on us. May Your ways be known throughout the earth, Your saving power among people everywhere."
Like a smile... there are ways to make Him known without words. I hope you find many reasons to share a smile with someone today :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi all! I am participating in a Bible Study about the 10 Commandments. This week it was the 5th Commandment...Honor your father and mother (and others in our life, including those who are hard to honor for one reason or another. God said to honor and didn't give us a choice. So how do we do that? Here is a recap of our evening discussion sent to me by our group leader:
Good afternoon friends!
"I enjoyed our great discussion on the Fifth Commandment and our struggle with authority - "Honor your father and your mother..." and I think we discovered that this commandment really is timeless - it is relevant for parents with children in all stages of life. As someone reminded us, we want our children to be where we are in our faith journey, but we have to remember that our children are walking their own faith journey as well and they will grow along the way. There are lessons to be learned in being a parent worthy of honor, or a grandparent worthy of honor, and we all agreed that we must realize we represent God to our children and grandchildren. Not only is this true in our families, but in our daily interactions with other people. One of the best pieces of advice from the evening is that we must pray that God will give us Compassion when we interact with difficult people. Some people did not have the wisdom, sufficiency or love to interact well, and so we must pray for Compassion.
And with compassion comes repentance and forgiveness!" Pam
I thought this was a relevant piece to add to today's discussion.
Kristen and Diane...I'm not sure how old your boys are...but their comes a day when they strive to become independant of us. The hugs may go away or are few and far between. I read once as boys grow older they become more aware of our breasts...and this was a reason given why boys may feel awkward about givng their mom's hugs. (usually around Jr. High age.) Mom's are just so heart bonded with those boys of u-ours...and it is so hard to let go. We go between wanting to let go and let God and/but "if I let go and let them live their mistakes will they think I don't care at all."
My son is now 25 and a few years ago he wrote me a very heart felt letter letting me know that if he appeared "mean or rude or uncaring or that he was ignoring me in his converstaion or behaviors" he wanted me to know that he will always love me but in order to separate emotionally from me he felt he needed to do it this way. (And since I was holding on to him for dear life...LOL)
I was glad he wrote me that letter so it didn't leave me thinking I had done something wrong or left not understanding his behavior. He actually had a "big boy" reason for separating. 'Cause this mom certainly missed that connection or bond we seemed to have had. (I know it happens with the girls too.)
But I still feel it needs to be done respectfully. And as a mom I need to let go of that "kite string" a little at a time so that my children will be able to soar on their own...well not really on their own...'cause you see there is a time that we hand that kite string back to God. He will be the one to help them go into adulthood. We can always keep praying for them. I am so thinking of you all today. Been there done that. This too shall pass. (I know the question is when!?) One day you shall be honored once again. Wait patiently on the Lord. Everything that we go through in life is a part of our shaping and a part of our children's as well. Just love them, pray for them, have compassion for them and allow a time for repentance and forgiveness. Love you!
Debbie in Illinois
Thanks Lori, I got home about 6 PM central time. It was a sad visit. My mom didn't know me when I got there...it took her about 10 minutes to figure out who I was even though we told her. Then one morning I went to wake her up and she asked "Who are you?" She had a dr. check up and couldn't tell the dr what my name was, in fact she never said my name the whole week I was there.
I did get time to ready what all of you were saying every day and I appeciated all of your insights.
Wendy God has truly given you a gift, and I am so thankful that you are using that gift.
Jan TN
Hello to you all. I am new to bogging, and started last year, but life got in the way. I had been separated from my husband for 4 months so I could help care for my Mom in FL, while he handled caring for our middle schooler and his Mom, who lives near us in SC. It was a difficult time. When I returned home, life remained difficult financially and with our child who distanced herself from me. I have kept prayer journals, and kept in the word, and found God to answer so many long sought for answers. He has blessed us beyond words, and I am so grateful for a God who is personal and real. So real, I sometimes cannot find the words. Thank you sisters for your insights, as I learn to find the right words to express my experience. I had prayed for Mercy, and He has been Mericful. I have renewed hope everyday.
"There's a sweet, sweet, spirit in this place", I find rest in his arms, and will write on my blog again when I can put togther the last 12 months with God's words, which only the Spirit can inspire. God Bless you all.
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