From: July 7, 2024
“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalm 5:3 ESV).
David wrote this psalm describing his habit of seeking the Lord in prayer in the morning. He spoke of how he cried out to the Lord and then watched and waited for God’s response. He prayed with confident expectation that the Lord would answer him.
The ESV translation, “In the morning I prepare a sacrifice,” is unique among English translations. A better translation might be, “In the morning I lay out my requests before you.” The Hebrew verb means “to lay or set in order, to direct towards.” So, I suppose the idea of a sacrifice might be implied, but the simpler translation of the KJV, “In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee,” seems preferred. However, having said this, the idea of David “laying” his requests before the Lord as one would a morning sacrifice, might be implied in the verb.
We can lay out our prayers before the Lord every morning with confident expectation as David did. But we don’t have to worry about a sacrifice. For the Lord Jesus has already made the sacrifice, “once for all” (Heb. 10:10). Therefore, we can know that the Lord hears our prayers for we pray in the name of Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we lay our requests before You this morning. Hear us and give attention to our cry. We wait for Your answer with expectation. Fill us afresh by Your Spirit. Anoint us to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 7, 2023
‘There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.’ (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NLT).
In the listing of names in the lineage of Judah, the author of 1 Chronicles paused to describe a man named Jabez. What can we learn about Jabez from this description? At least four things:
1) He was “more honorable” than his brothers.
2) His mother named him, “Jabez,” meaning “to cause pain, grief or sorrow,” because he caused her such pain in childbirth.
3) He was a praying man that prayed to the “God of Israel,” not a false god.
4) He wanted to overcome the name he had been given at birth.
What did Jabez pray?
1) That God would “bless” him (In Hebrew: “barak, barak.” Literally, “bless bless.”) Jabez wanted a double blessing!
2) That God would enlarge his “territory.”
3) That God would be with him. He prayed for God’s continual presence on his life.
4) That God would keep him from all “trouble and pain.” Though his name meant “pain,” he asked God to give him a new identity.
And God “granted” his request. Regardless of our situation at birth, or at present, the Lord is ready to hear our prayers. Jabez did not complain, nor blame. He asked God to doubly bless and be with him. And God did just that!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we often think that You bless according to our actions, but really it is more according to our asks. For we are all sinners and do not deserve Your blessing. Yet, You are a God who blesses. And You love to bless those who ask believing. So Lord, we ask. Bless, bless us today with a double blessing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 7, 2022
PAUL STANDS BEFORE THE POMP AND PROMINENCE OF ROME
Porcius Festus was the new Roman governor over Judea. He replaced Felix who had been recalled to Rome by Nero. As a result, Festus inherited the case against the apostle Paul, which Felix had delayed, hoping for a bribe. Historians agree, that overall, Festus was a better governor than Felix, who was actually recalled because of his poor administration. Yet, even Festus was easily wooed by the Jewish leaders who wanted Paul’s trial moved to Jerusalem, so they could kill him along the way. Festus was ready to move the trial from Caesarea to Jerusalem as a favor to the Jewish leaders, but Paul appealed to Caesar. Festus had to honor Paul’s request because of his Roman citizenship.
The next day after the trial, Festus received King Agrippa II and his sister, Bernice, who came to pay their respects to the new governor. Agrippa II, whose birth name was Marcus Julius Agrippa, was raised and educated in Rome, while his father, King Herod Agrippa I, reigned in Judea. It was his father who had ordered the beheading of the apostle James. Coincidently, Agrippa’s sister, Drusilla, was the wife of the previous governor, Felix. So, when Festus began to talk about the unusual case concerning a man named Paul that Felix had left to him, Agrippa was, no doubt, fully aware. When Agrippa asked to hear Paul for himself, Festus happily agreed.
Can you visualize this scene? The auditorium is arrayed in the banners of Rome as trumpets sound announcing the arrival of King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice. Can you see all the Roman military officers decked out in their dress uniforms, gathered there at the order of Governor Felix, along with the prominent Jewish leaders of the region who had received his invitation? Can you see the apostle Paul being led in alone to face this illustrious crowd, dressed in a plain robe with chains on his wrists?
Most people would be intimidated and overcome with fear, but not the apostle Paul. He saw it as an amazing opportunity to give his testimony and preach about the resurrected Jesus before all the pomp and prominence of the region. And preach he did. For he was an ambassador of King Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, may we have the boldness of the apostle Paul as we are given opportunity to speak of Your Son. Strengthen us to always recognize our calling and identity in Christ Jesus. For it’s in His name that we pray, amen.
From: July 7, 2016
David’s crying and groaning were directed to the Lord in prayer. His distress was expressed as an appeal to God. He did not complain to others, nor cry out to man, but to the One who could really help. He knew how to “encourage himself in the Lord” (1 Sam.30:6). Many wallow in their worries and seek solace in expressing their anxiety to others, but David turned his concerns into prayerful confession. Instead of anxious self-talk, he prayed to God.
Are you able to do this?
From: July 7, 2015
This is how the Roman governor Festus responded to Paul’s appeal. God had already revealed to Paul that he would carry the gospel to Rome. But in chains? God often uses weakness to speak to strength. It would have been difficult to get an appointment with Caesar. Yet, Paul had an all expense paid invitation.