May 20

Psalm 83; 1 Chronicles 29:23-25; 2 Chronicles 1:1; 1 Kings 2:13-3:4; 2 Chronicles 1:2-6; 1 Kings 3:5-15; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13

Life is like a rollercoaster. Our days are filled with highs and lows. We have great victories that are followed by crushing defeats. In the Psalms, David freely expresses the highs and lows of his emotional condition to God. In Psalm 83, David pleads for God not to keep silent, quiet, or still. He puts his frustrating circumstances right in front of God. He tells God that his enemies were “astir” and “rearing their heads.” David then recalls how God has defeated their enemies in the past and enumerates those events in verses 9-11; i.e., Sisera and Jabin (Judges 4), Oreb and Zeeb (Judges 7:25), and Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 8:21).

He reflects on those high moments when victory was provided for the people. David then asks God to attack the enemies like a forest fire or tempest. David is asking for something like a hurricane of justice to come upon his enemies. In this time of difficulty, he once again calls out to God. David models what it looks like to run to God in all of life. In the victories, he cries out to God. In the moment of defeat, he prays for God’s intervention. He is always crying out to God and so should we.

Father, I give you those who sometimes make my way thorny. If you choose to treat them with a storm or a gentle quiet voice, bring them to know you. Help me to run to you in all of life. Amen. 

What circumstances make it hard for you to pray and how can you quickly turn to God in these situations?

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