THE LORD SPOKE (October 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Jeremiah 11-13
Did you know that it’s sometimes wrong to pray? There’s a time to pray but there’s also a time when you should not pray. Jeremiah is specifically told “do not pray for this people” twice (7:16 and 11:14). That word comes directly from the mouth of the Lord so maybe it’s not directly applicable to some current situation in your life. But we do have other examples and even some clear wording in Scripture to instruct us when we should not pray. Consider the following:

You should not pray...

• when you should be doing something else that God has given you to do and you’re using “more prayer” to put it off
• when you know you’re asking for something contrary to God’s Word - like praying for God to let you marry that unbeliever you’ve fallen in love with
• when it’s just “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7)
• when it’s “to consume it upon your own lusts” (James 4:3) - you're asking for something selfishly
• when you do it only out of guilt - such prayers are ineffective, mere words tossed heavenwards

Consider that last one a bit more. There are several other spiritual disciplines which would fall into this category. If the only reason you do them (pray, give, read your Bible, witness, etc.) is because you feel guilty when you don’t, then they don’t have much value, do they? However, the proper solution is not to stop doing them. The right response is to get your heart right with God so that you do it from the heart.

Having said all that, most people probably don’t need to be told when not to pray. They’re already doing too much of that. What we really need is to pray! Do you remember how the disciples framed their request to Jesus in Luke 11:1? “Lord, teach us to pray.” Not, “teach us how to pray” but “teach us to pray”. There’s really not much that’s very hard about knowing how to pray. Our biggest challenge is simply to do it.

So, how are you doing? Have you prayed yet today? Why not take a little time and do it now?!

Psalms 59-60
It’s a national prayer! We don’t know much about such things, do we? The superscription of Psalm 60 describes the historical situation, about which we know very little. It appears to be found in II Samuel 8 and I Chronicles 18 (maybe II Samuel 10 also). But here’s what’s significant: the superscription also tells us that this psalm is “for teaching”. While that’s true of any portion of Scripture, this is the only psalm that says that specifically.

So, what is to be taught from Psalm 60? One clue may be found in how this psalm is used in Psalm 108, where over half the psalm is quoted verbatim. It is a national prayer for God’s assistance after the nation has suffered a severe blow from a foreign country. The prayer may have been led by the king (the “me” of Ps. 60:9?). Note that it comes after the feeling that God has rejected the nation (Ps. 60:1). The outline is as follows:

Ps. 60:1-3 - Lamentation that God has rejected us
Ps. 60:4-8 - Plea for help (and grounds of confidence)
Ps. 60:9-12 - Confidence that God will yet give us the victory

Can we expect the same? Yes, if we repent and turn to God. No, if we do not.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Ps. 33:12)

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (II Chron. 7:14)

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (Prov. 8:17)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer. 29:13)

What’s true on a national level is also true on a personal level. If you will turn to God as an individual and seek forgiveness and restoration, He will never turn you away.

With God we will gain the victory.... (Ps. 60:12)