Psalm 5

Hear my prayer. Listen to me… This is how Psalm 5 begins.

Sometimes I pray to God but am not sure he listens to me. So I ask more intensely “God please listen to me…” Do you ever feel that way? I have thought these words so many times I have lost count. In the midst of my questioning thoughts, I have learned to look for peace in God’s Words.

The justice of God is something that challenges us at times. We know that God is good and at the same time we see evil go unpunished. We know God is not happy with those who do evil. Yet, there are times I question if God will deal with the evil in a way that I understand. This is where we must ask God to take our heart and mind beyond our human responses to evil, meaning, we need to learn God’s higher ways vs. trust our own earthly ways.

In our pursuit of God, hopefully we become more like God in his great love. This love that God has desires people to be reconciled to himself. He desires peace, grace, and love more than punishment. This is not to say God will not hold people accountable for their actions, rather, my heart and yours must trust God to be just while becoming like him in his love for all of his children.

It is from this place we can enter into the place where God dwells. When we are not consumed by fairness… but a love that is fixated on the King. Here we revere God. We trust him, experience his love and share in it.

You can know God loves you when your heart is inclined toward him. Only he can change a heart. You know this because he is the only one that has changed yours.  A heart that has not been touched by God’s hand is not inclined towards him, the inverse is true, a heart touched by God’s hand will incline itself to Him.

Our prayer:

God help me and lead me. Help me know your heart so well I operate with an intention to grow in your love. Help me understand your justice even when it is difficult. Help me experience the blessing of knowing you and growing in your great love and knowledge. Speak to me Lord.

Help me know you in this profound way, that I may be unwavering in my faith and share this faith with all that I come into contact with. That I may share my faith in a way that honors you and helps others see who you really are.

I will follow you on this path Lord. You are the wise and righteous God. You Son, Jesus has offers a gift I cannot understand, but will receive. Thank you Lord. I will embrace your righteousness and ask you to give me favor as I serve you.

Amen.