“I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey Your decrees.” -Psalm 119:145

This verse begins a new octave. In these eight verses the psalmist is looking for God’s presence and aid. He calls out, or cries out, with urgency and fervor to have the Lord bless him. This is what wrestling in prayer looks like. Have you ever prayed with your face in the ground, engaging not only your lips but your whole being in earnest longing? Did you know prayers like this from the heart are received by God our Father as sweet incense? And when words fail us, even the groaning of His saints is heard as the Spirit helps through intercession. What a gracious and compassionate Lord! He hears, He sees, He knows exactly every detail of your life. Prayer demonstrates our faith that there is a God, and that He is willing and able to act. It may not be as we expect, but the Lord is always at work on behalf of His people for His Glory and our good (Romans 8:28). Here we rest in taking the long view of God’s eternal plan, rather than remain short-sighted with temporal solutions. God’s plans are always better than we could ever imagine.

As the psalmist cries out in need, he also longs to obey the Lord in all of life. The holy desires of his heart search for God’s guidance to direct him, then walk in it. Whether the psalmist realizes it or not, he is doing exactly what God commands by drawing near to Him. This is what the Lord has called all people to do while we live in the Era of Grace. A fervent desire to draw near to God grows the more we meditate on what He has already taught us in the Scriptures. Who is He? Draw near to God by observing His creativity and majesty in creation. See His heart of compassion and mercy through Jesus His Son. Meditate on His character and promises through the written Word. This is what living in the center of God’s will looks like. This is where we begin to know the God of the Universe. May “the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). 

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Isaiah 55:6-7; Romans 8:26-28; Revelation 5:6-8; 8:2-4