Day 64: Psalm 11- Crazy Prayer!

​In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, 2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
 
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
 
 Meditation
Do you want to be more real with the Lord in prayer? Today’s psalm is a window into more authentic engagement in prayer.
 
The Psalmist prays for the Lord to “rain coals on the wicked; fire and a scorching wind to be their cup…” (6) The imagery of judgment from Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18) as a prayer for others does not seem to embody the teaching of Jesus who tells us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. (Matthew 5:43-47)
 
Scripture is not contradicting itself but rather giving us a picture of authentic prayer from a person living in a fallen world.  The question is not whether God answers this prayer but how we can grow towards this level of authentic engagement of God?
 
How can we grow in this level of authentic engagement in prayer?
 
1-Take refuge in the Lord, finding total security in Him and His promises. (1-3)
2-Trust the sovereign rule of the Lord, infinitely over all and intimately in all of life. (4-5) He is on the throne in Heaven but sees all the children of humanity, including you.
3-Depend on His righteous character and promises through walking in His ways, knowing you will see His face. (7) Trusting the Lord in your steps will push your eyes on Him!
 
When the Lord is our refuge and we trust His sovereignty, making His righteousness our means and goal, then our hearts will grow in authentic engagement with Him.
 
Dwelling Richly
-Are you surprised at the rawness of the Psalmist’s prayer?
 
-How would you gauge the level of authenticity in your prayer life?
 
-Be honest with God in prayer while intentionally focusing on the realities above. Watch your heart find security and your eyes look more clearly at Christ.
 
Key Verse
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.