Five Request Of A Godly Man

Posted on

O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry!
    Listen when I cry to you for help!

~Psalm 141:1, NLT

“We have no control over what our enemies say and do, but we can ask God to control what comes out of our own mouth and what developed within our own heart.”

~John Owens

Prayer is a cry for help! David is in serious trouble. His enemies are out to get him. We do not know the historical setting for Psalm 141, but we do know that David felt threatened. He was being hunted by either Saul or his son Absalom and he was in danger and distress. When we get caught in a stressful situation, our first prayer is usually, “LORD, get me out of this mess.” What is a bit unusual about Psalm 141 is that David does not cry out for immediate deliverance from bad circumstances. David is concerned with two enemies: the one without {Saul/Absalom} or the one within {indwelling sin}. David is asking God to change his {David’s} conduct not his circumstances. His five request are:

  1. LORD—Hear my prayer [v.1-2]
  2. LORD—Guard my lips [v.3]
  3. LORD—Protect my heart [v.4]
  4. LORD—Make me teachable [v.5]
  5. LORD—Help me keep my eyes on You [v.8]

He is not asking God to change his circumstances but that God use the circumstances to change himself. He is not as worried about the enemy without as much as the enemy within. I share this same concern. I know that Satan is an enemy and the world is certainly not my friend but the flesh seems to be my biggest problem. It is not what the enemy says or does that bothers me; it is what I say and do. Verse three really hits home with me. LORD, place a guard over my lips.

  • Carol got Bill to eat a bit or two yesterday but he is still not eating very much. LORD willing, I will be going after my lunch meeting.
  • Peggy Lindsey is also in Decatur General, I am not sure what room.
  • Tonight: LOVING THE BRETHERN 1 Peter 1:18-25
  • October 25—Trunk-A-Treat
  • October 26 we host the MORGAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING and we serve lunch.
  • Sunday night November 1 at 5:00 pm…The Bill Smith Jambalaya Supper
  • Wednesday November 4, Mid-week day service at 10:30.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday and thanks for reading the blog!!!!

Leave a Reply