Bible Pathway - July 19, 2012

Highlights:

David's praise for God's mercy and goodness; benefit of trusting in God; all creation to praise the Lord.

The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth (Ps. 145:18).

The psalmist often called upon God in prayer because he had the assurance of God's nearness. The secret to this assurance was that he loved God's Word and prayed according to His will. It is often tempting to pray for our desires and then leave it at that. However, we should do our utmost to have our prayers be in right standing before God. So, we should model our prayers in every way possible to how Jesus prayed. And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt (Matt. 26:39).

God sometimes allows His people to go through trials in order to make them realize how incapable we are and the necessity of expressing our needs to Him. He answers prayers and delights to hear us pray. Therefore there is no need to hold our prayers back from God. No matter how big or how small the need might seem, God wants us to bring that need to Him. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power (II Thess. 1:11).

Since some Christians spend so little time reading God's Word, they are not aware of the power of prayer. One of the greatest keys to successful praying is: Pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17). This doesn't mean we are on our knees 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It does mean we are in a constant state of open communication with God. We can and should talk to God all the time. However, we should not only talk, but we should listen as well. If there is a need to be prayed, we pray for it. He is waiting for us to pray. We can pray while driving down the road or ironing a shirt or working in a machine shop; we can be letting the Lord use us to release His blessings through our prayers to meet needs anywhere in the world. It is Christ . . . who also makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). Our prayers are vital for the Lord to use us in fulfilling His will.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).

Thought for Today:

We have a Friend who knows our weaknesses, yet He still gives us access to His Throne of Grace.

Christ Revealed:

As the One who gives sight to the blind (Ps. 146:8). Jesus Christ opened blind eyes. Then touched He their eyes . . . . And their eyes were opened (Matt. 9:27-30; Mark 10:46-52; John 9:1-41).

Word Studies:

144:7 rid, rescue; 144:13 garners, grain storehouses; streets, fields; 145:3 unsearchable, beyond our understanding; 147:4 telleth, counts; 148:7 dragons, large sea animals.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. John B.T. Campbell III (CA) • Country: Mexico (99.7 million) in North America • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 89% Catholic; 6% Protestant; 3.5% None; 1.5% Other (Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i) • Prayer Suggestion: Thank the Lord for hearing your prayers (Ps. 28:6-7).

Optional Reading: 2 Timothy 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:8