Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Praise the LORD

Today’s Reading: Psalm 116 (SOAP verse 48)

The Lord God of Israel deserves praise,
in the future and forevermore.
Let all the people say, “We agree! Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 106:48
A Recounting

This is one of those readings that make it tempting to skip right to the soap/focus verse – but as always I encourage you to read the whole passage. It’s actually a beautifully written cliff notes version of God’s people during the exodus and the conquest. While it opens and ends with the Psalmist praising the LORD, much of the chapter focuses on repentance through a recounting of Israel’s failures. We can certainly learn a lot from it – such as failure to appreciate and remember God’s work and love for us leads to rebellion (7) and the importance of God’s reputation (8). We read of how they praised God and then would quickly forget what He had done (12-13). They resented their Spiritual leaders, Moses and Aaron (16) and did evil in the sight of the LORD – like making and worshiping idols and rejecting their true and living God (19-21). Even after His mercies were shown to them they still lived in rebellion (23-25). Because of these things God would eventually make them die in the wilderness (26-27), again and again they angered God by their hideous and rebellious deeds (29-40) so “He handed them over to the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them”(41). He delivered them many times but their attitudes were still rebellious (43). Yet, “He took notice of their distress when He heard their cry for help and relented because of His great loyal love” (44-45) – Because of the recounting of these things and because of all of God’s mighty acts the Psalmist acknowledged that God was worthy of praise now and forevermore and he encouraged the people to praise Him.

The Recounting Results

A “recounting” of God’s ‘mighty acts’ will always lead us to praise Him. Praise Him not only for the present but for the future and forever. The Psalmist not only realized that God deserved praise but he encouraged all the people to agree with him and praise the LORD.

How Then Do I Live?

I should be faithful to “recount” God’s mighty acts. I should be quick to realize and always be aware that God is worthy of my praise. I should also encourage ‘others to see and agree and praise the LORD’.

Why does it matter?

Because others will ‘see and agree’ only when we are faithful to recount and actively praise Him – sparking a fire in those around us and for generations to come.

Prayer Response

Father, help me. Help Your people to notice Your mighty acts. To remember them from days of old. And to recount them faithfully as edification and encouragement for ourselves and others to PRAISE You. For truly You are worthy, both now and always! Help us not only to learn to PRAISE You from the recounting but may the recounting also be a warning and reminder of where rebellion and discontent and grumbling and forgetfulness lead us. Thank You for Your loyal love and faithfulness to forgive – to relent. All Your deeds are praiseworthy – this we know and give you praise. Let all the people agree. – Amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Remembering His Faithfulness

Today’s Reading: Psalm 9 (SOAP verses 10 and 11)

Your loyal followers trust in you,

for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion.

Tell the nations what he has done.

Psalm 9:10-11 NET

“You can be an instrument through which others encounter God, but only to the extent that you encounter God.”1

The Commitment to Remember

From the beginning of this study, Trusting God in the Midst of Suffering, we have been given examples about remembering and how it helps us turn our laments into praise. In Psalm 77, we read how Moses, a man who was undeniably an instrument of God, committed to remembering the works of the LORD and we saw how it changed his whole attitude. Now we’ve arrived at the last week of the study and we see, as we have throughout, that it’s still about remembering, recalling, pondering, and talking about the goodness of God that strengthens us to walk through the valleys of this world.

I will remember the works of the Lord.

Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago.

12 I will think about all you have done;

I will reflect upon your deeds.”

Psalm 77:11-12
The Impact of Remembering

Our Psalm today was written by David who, without question, was and is used as an instrument of God. From this Psalm alone you can tell that he encountered God often and in a number of ways – and his praises seem to flow endlessly, even in the midst of his laments. The impact of his words still inspire us today. His prayers teach us to cry out to God, to pray against the enemy, to trust God, to find favor in His sight, and the list goes on. Consider also the words he spoke of his encounters with God when he was petitioning Saul to allow him to face the giant, Goliath.

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”  His words were bold and his acknowledgement that God was with him seemed to have an impact on the decision - as we read: Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the LORD be with you!”

Then, when he is standing before the Philistine giant, again he remembers and uses the words almost as ammunition against the giant. Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

You see David's words and remembrance of his encounters with God rescuing him not only impacted Saul's decision but they impacted David's courage and tenacity - and ultimately the fate of the giant.        

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2017&version=NIV
HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE

Like Moses and David, we need to encounter God regularly through His Word, through prayer, and watching for His fingerprints of activity in and around our lives. We need to know that His Word says and has shown that we can trust Him in times of trouble (Ps 9:9, Nahum 1:7). We need to remember that, according to Matthew 28:20 and others, we can trust Him not to abandon those who belong to Him.

According to this passage (vs 10-11) and many in the new testament, namely Luke 9:23 – we should be loyal followers, ones who deny themselves and take up our crosses daily to follow Him. We should trust in Him not being afraid that He will abandon us. We should seek His help, sing His praises, and tell others what He has done.

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

Luke 9:23

Father, Thank You for showing me, in so many ways that You can be trusted. From hearing our prayers to provision of safety and not abandoning us-even in the difficult days we can trust You and praise You. We can tell others of Your good deeds so that among the “Nations” You will be praised! May You find us faithful, servants after Your own heart.

1 Priscilla Shirer (one in a million, journey to your promised land)

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Turning Lament into Dancing

Today’s Reading: Psalm 30 (SOAP: Psalm 30:11-12)

A song used at the dedication of the temple: by David

David’s Response to Answered Prayer

This psalm begins with an acknowledgment that a prayer has been answered. It seems to be a recounting or a testimony of what it was all about and how David’s sorrow turned into joyful dancing. However, don’t miss the line of lament in verse 7 where David says the Lord rejected him and he was terrified. Note the progression from there, David cried to the LORD (8), David’s focus was the Lord (9), and David seeks the LORD’s mercy – indicating he knew that he deserved God’s displeasure and rejection. Suddenly David’s lament is turned into dancing and he says he can no longer stay silent. Oh that we would all respond so joyfully with praise when God answers our prayers.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
    You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11-12

In these two verses David realizes, with great joy, that his prayers have been answered and he gives God the credit. He makes his joy known and pledges to always give God thanks.

How then should we live?

When God removes or improves our suffering we should make it known. We should not be silent when God acts on our behalf. Instead, we should, without hesitation or timidity give thanks to the LORD. Our responses not only bring delight to God but they have the power to make His name known to others around us, which may in turn encourage them to pray or praise God as well.

My Response

Father, Thank You for all the times You have turned my mourning into dancing! Let me never withhold praise that is due Your name. Let me dance and sing with joy – making Your goodness, greatness, mercy, grace, and love known! And in this, may You be glorified.

Going Deeper

Don’t forget to read the LGG Blog Post lovegodgreatly.com/blog/

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

The Power of God’s Love

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP – 8:38-39)

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39
Even If

Even in our sufferings – whatever they are, Scripture assures us that no troubles or distress, no persecution, no hunger, no dangers, or even violent death can separate us from God’s love that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. Even in these, we have complete and guaranteed victory through Him who loved us enough to die in our place.

How then do I live?

Regardless of what life brings, I can live in confidence. I do not have to be afraid because I know that the living God is with me and loves me and I rest secure in His love demonstrated on the cross.

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:8-11
My Response

Father, what an important truth for Your children to remember and to truly believe – so that when troubles come – and they will- we will not be shaken! We can both stand and rest secure, and we can even rejoice because we know Your love and Your power are always with us – Of this I am convinced, in Jesus’ Name!

Music and video are not mine - but I'm sharing because shortly after completing and scheduling this post this song started playing on my spotify  - what a perfect companion for the devo and and awesome song - I just had to share. I pray it leads you into worship and awe of how our God works. 
Want to Go Deeper?

Check out today’s blog on this passage at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Trusting God’s Sovereignty

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Romans 8:38-39
Building up our confidence

Paul is asking what the believer’s response should be to “these things”, meaning all he has told them about in the previous verses (18-30). In other words, the adoption and redemption of our bodies (23), the hope in which were saved (24), the Spirit’s help in our weakness, His interceding for us in prayer (26), God working all things together for our good (28), being conformed into the image of His Son, so that we might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (29), and as part of His plan – being called, justified, and glorified (30).

He goes on to ask, “If God is for us who can be against us?”. Perhaps, in light of all He has just written, this is meant to be a rhetorical question. However, either way, I believe it is good and profitable to give an answer to the question as an exercise of recalling the truths and promises that are ours in Christ. Certainly this list alone clarifies that God is for us but lets look at a couple of others that will strengthen our confidence. John 3:16 boasts of God’s love being so great that He gave us His one and only son to die for our sins, and announces that anyone who believes in his son would be saved. There’s also Paul’s words from Romans 5:8 that tell us how God demonstrated his own love for us, not just by sending Christ to die for us, but doing it while we were still sinners. Surely there is absolutely no one and nothing that can stand against us when we are loved so deeply.

HOw Then Do we live

This truth and others like it offer us hope and the confidence we need to walk victoriously through the world as a Christian. We will face suffering and deal with weaknesses, there may be times when we don’t even know how to pray and when it may seem like God is removed from us, but we can always live with the assurance that God, the creator of the universe, the mightiest of the mighty, eternal, living God is “for us” and His Spirit is always with us. He gives freely, not based on our merit but His love; and Psalm 84:11 says He withholds no good thing from those who do what is right. He has a plan for our life and is working everything together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose and in this we can rest knowing He is a good good father whom we can trust has our backs.

Prayer Prompt

Father, thank You that You are a sovereign God, in perfect control of all things. Thank You for not sparing Your own son but giving Him up for us all so that we might, through faith in Him, be a member of Your family. Thank You for showing us such love and giving us the assurance that we can trust Your sovereign goodness. My heart is full of gratitude and praise!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Help in Weakness

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP – 8: 26)

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit and the Believer

Have you ever reached the point, either because of tiredness or emotions or even sin – that you just couldn’t or didn’t know how to pray? I have, more times than I can count, which is why I love the truth of this verse. Even more, I love that God has provided a way for us to always connect with Him, even to the point that He will provide the content of our conversation through the intercession of His Spirit. The Spirit plays many roles in the lives of believers and even in the lives of unbelievers, whom He convicts of their sin (Jn 16:8), Two of my other favorites are:

  • Ever feel like you can’t remember God’s Word? Well, the Spirit remembers and according to John 14:26, He has been sent to teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said. I don’t know about you but I forget more and more these days – so I take great delight in this role of the Holy Spirit in my life
  • I also love that He is the reason that we are able to bear fruit of the new nature God has given us. Because of the Holy Spirit we are able to show love, have and spread joy, live in and know peace, be patient in trying circumstances, be kind and good, faithful and gentle, and practice self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

If you’d like to know even more about what the Holy Spirit does and what it means to “walk in the Spirit” visit gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html and dig deeper.

The One Who Intercedes

Paul has just finished writing about hope and how big of a part it plays in the believer’s life, from salvation to strength to carry us through times of suffering. Here, he continues that same thought line only this time he says, “In the same way as the “hope” works – the Spirit works to help us in our weakness. Whether physical or emotional or spiritual, like knowing how or what to pray for – the Spirit’s job is to intercede on our behalf and according to God’s will (27) – so it’s a win-win!

How then Shall we live?

Just as I/you live in “HOPE” of the promises of God through Christ – we need to live in the power of the Spirit for all of life’s needs. We need to trust that God has provided, through the Holy Spirit, all that we need to live a godly life. (2 Peter1:3-4). Perhaps Paul’s best instruction about the Spirit is found in chapter five of Galatians where we find these helpful and inspiring words:

 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.   Galatians 5:16-25
Prayer Prompt

Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that He works in us, according to Your will. Just as You have taught us to put our hope in You, help us to live by Your Spirit and trust His guidance – in prayer, in relationships with others, in living out Your will and call upon our lives in this world. Thank you that He helps us in our weakness and empowers us to live the godly life. We are most blessed!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Endurance in Hope

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP – 8:24-25)

 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:24-25
Adoption, the Redemption of their bodies

Let me start, like I often do, by backing up. This time we only have to go back to the end of the previous verse (23), where Paul writes of believers groaning eagerly as they “eagerly await their adoption, the redemption of their bodies.” I believe Scripture defines Scripture and this verse particularly gives definition to verse 24 and 25. Let’s look at how –

 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:23
In This

In most translations verse 24 reads, “In this hope” instead of “in hope”. That little word, “this”, doesn’t change the meaning of the verse but it defines the hope Paul mentions as the same hope he referred to in the previous verses, particularly the description of hope painted with the words of one who “eagerly awaits their adoption, the redemption of their bodies.” After all, isn’t that what we were hoping for when we believed in Jesus for our salvation? – Thus, Paul wrote: “In this hope we were saved”.

Eager Anticipation

Now, let’s turn our attention to one other phrase of Paul’s that caught my attention. “Because we hope for what we have not seen we wait with eager anticipation“, or endurance or patience in some translations. In other words, picture with me children at Christmas and how their excitement builds as presents begin to appear under the Christmas tree. They imagine what’s in the packages and they hope, with growing anticipation, that it’s what’s they’ve asked for … but that same child would not be near as excited for Christmas morning to arrive if the presents were added daily under the tree, unwrapped and visible for all to see. You see, part of the fun for that child is the anticipation of what is to come – and that is how Paul says it should be for us as believers who “hope for what we do not see”. “We eagerly wait for it with endurance”

Am I and How Can I?

So, a set of three questions arose in my mind that perhaps you are asking of yourself? – Am I “eagerly awaiting”? If not – why? Finally, how then can I begin to live in “eager anticipation”? I believe the answers lie in fueling our thoughts with what’s to come. Like the child running to see if any new packages appeared or simply sitting, staring at the lights and colorfully wrapped presents dreaming of what’s to come, we need to look often into God’s Word for His promises that are ours in Christ Jesus. Promises, such as our “adoption”, the “redemption of our bodies”, “the glory that will be revealed to us”, and all of the packages we have not yet unwrapped. Then, with that child-like heart we need to anticipate the very best. After all, we know He’s already given us His only son to die in our place – and to jump ahead and borrow the words Paul wrote in verse 32 of this same chapter, “How will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?”

Prayer Prompt

Father, I do long for that day more and more when I will see you face to face, when I will know the glory that is to come. I confess though – how easy it is to get caught up with the blessing of our lives, our families and friends, ministries and jobs. It can be equally hard not to focus on the pain and suffering in our lives, the lives of those we love, and the world around us. Your Word talks of us enjoying life and seeing many happy days and surely You bless us with many joys that we seek to enjoy at Your good pleasure – but help us to never take our eyes off of the hope and the joy set before us at the “redemption of our bodies” – and may we be faithful to share the truth with others that they too might share in the hope. These things I pray in Jesus’ name – Amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Our Coming Glory

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP, 8:18)

For I (Paul) consider that [the sufferings] of this present time are not worth comparing with [the glory] that is going to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18
from groans to glory

While in most Bibles verse 18 starts a new “section” of Romans chapter 8, Paul is actually continuing a train of thought that he had just mentioned in verses 16-17, where he wrote: The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. It’s important to understand this if you want to understand the “suffering” he refers to throughout the rest of the chapter.

Clearly the suffering is related, at least in part, to our belief in and relationship with Christ. Whatever the suffering is – every day pain on this sin-cursed earth or persecution as His follower, or both – clearly we will face suffering. However, Paul’s point of hope seems to be that our suffering will be far outweighed by the glories of God revealed to those who belong to God – enabling us to transition from groaning over our situations to rejoicing in the glory to come, our inheritance in Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promises of eternity.

A Change Of Focus

When we suffer, whether it is from petty hurts, great sorrows or persecution, an anguishing illnesses or catastrophic event – as God’s children we can suffer with hope. However, our hope is different than the hope that the world has. The hope of the world says things like, “keep your chin up things will get better” but our’s is the hope of the glory to come. Please don’t misunderstand me, this doesn’t change the realness of the “present suffering” but it definitely can and should change our focus. To borrow from another of Paul’s letters, we must “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us, Phil 3:14.

Prayer Prompt

Father, how exciting it is to know that one day our present suffering will be over! One day we will stand before You taking in Your glory and majesty. Every pain and sorrow will be gone! Thank you for this hope and may it be our focus over today’s suffering. In Jesus’ name I pray –

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Restore Us, Lord

Today’s Reading: Lamentations 5:1-22 (SOAP: 21)

Bring us back to yourself, O Lord, so that we may return to you;
renew our life as in days before,

Lamentations 5:21
But You, O LORD

Don’t miss the “but You” moment in verse 19. Similar to that of chapter 3, verse 21 – where in the throes of lament Jeremiah says – “But this I call to mind”. Here, he is lamenting the degradation of the city and the plight of the people when it seems the knowledge and the faith of his hope turn his inward thoughts back toward God. This time he says, “But You, O LORD, reign forever. Your throne endures from generation to generation. Remembering these truths seems to prompt both the question and the plea that follow and the words you can almost hear him stammering over in verse 22, “unless You have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure”.

The Confusion and questions

Because Jeremiah knows the goodness of God and His faithfulness to all generations he cries out hoping to understand why God hasn’t come to their aide.

Why do You keep on forgetting us? Why do You forsake us so long?

Lamentations 5:20
The Plea!

In response to his own questions Jeremiah prays a prayer of restoration and renewal and includes a purpose that he knew would align with God’s will for his people and the city. “Bring us back to Yourself, O LORD, so that we may return to You;” – not just to what we knew but first and foremost to You. He went on to pray, “Renew our life”. The plea is not for God to create a new life for them but specifically for restoration to “as in days before” – days when they had a crown and their city stood strong, when they were joyful and dancing. Restored to a time when their elders sat in the city gates and their young men played music. They longed to go back to the day when they weren’t hungry or in danger or living enslaved but to a day when they knew prosperity and success and respect for who they were.

What Can We Learn? – The Application –

What can we learn from these statements of prayer and truth? I think we can take a lesson from Jeremiah’s reasoning and pray prayers that keep God first. I think we should be inspired to watch that our desire is return to Him when we have fallen away, and to pray big prayers without letting them become greedy prayers.

Prayer Prompt

Father, when I lament may my mind and eyes and heart always return to or stay on You. May my chief desire be You and my heart be for ‘renewal’ rather than bigger and better.” Let me not lose heart but when it fades, help me remember You reign forever and Your throne from generation to generation.

Go Deeper

Don’t forget to checkout today’s LGG Blog Post and explore their site to see what God is doing through them.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Restore Us, Lord

Today’s Reading: Lamentations 5:1-22 (SOAP: 21)

Bring us back to yourself, O Lord, so that we may return to you;
renew our life as in days before,

Lamentations 5:21
But You, O LORD

Don’t miss the “but You” moment in verse 19. Similar to that of chapter 3, verse 21 – where in the throes of lament Jeremiah says – “But this I call to mind”. Here, he is lamenting the degradation of the city and the plight of the people when it seems the knowledge and the faith of his hope turn his inward thoughts back toward God. This time he says, “But You, O LORD, reign forever. Your throne endures from generation to generation. Remembering these truths seems to prompt both the question and the plea that follow and the words you can almost hear him stammering over in verse 22, “unless You have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure”.

The Confusion and questions

Because Jeremiah knows the goodness of God and His faithfulness to all generations he cries out hoping to understand why God hasn’t come to their aide.

Why do You keep on forgetting us? Why do You forsake us so long?

Lamentations 5:20
The Plea!

In response to his own questions Jeremiah prays a prayer of restoration and renewal and includes a purpose that he knew would align with God’s will for his people and the city. “Bring us back to Yourself, O LORD, so that we may return to You;” – not just to what we knew but first and foremost to You. He went on to pray, “Renew our life”. The plea is not for God to create a new life for them but specifically for restoration to “as in days before” – days when they had a crown and their city stood strong, when they were joyful and dancing. Restored to a time when their elders sat in the city gates and their young men played music. They longed to go back to the day when they weren’t hungry or in danger or living enslaved but to a day when they knew prosperity and success and respect for who they were.

What Can We Learn? – The Application –

What can we learn from these statements of prayer and truth? I think we can take a lesson from Jeremiah’s reasoning and pray prayers that keep God first. I think we should be inspired to watch that our desire is return to Him when we have fallen away, and to pray big prayers without letting them become greedy prayers.

Prayer Prompt

Father, when I lament may my mind and eyes and heart always return to or stay on You. May my chief desire be You and my heart be for ‘renewal’ rather than bigger and better.” Let me not lose heart but when it fades, help me remember You reign forever and Your throne from generation to generation.

Go Deeper

Don’t forget to checkout today’s LGG Blog Post and explore their site to see what God is doing through them.