Psalm 109:4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

In Psalm 109, David is talking about someone who has treated him badly. Obviously, it is someone that he has shown kindness to. Our verse today says that in return for David’s love, the people became his enemies. That’s always a blessing, isn’t it! We treat someone kindly, we go above and beyond for someone, and then they turn against us! As my dad used to say, with friends like that, who needs enemies?

David’s words pricked my heart today: “but I give myself unto prayer.” Ouch! I’d rather give myself unto complaining. Or eating. Or losing my temper. Or whining. Or all four. Not prayer. Yet, I see the power and truth in David’s words. Prayer truly is the answer. Prayer changes things, it changes others, but most of all, it changes me. I admit that my prayer life is one of the hardest things for me to remain consistent on! I don’t know why it’s such a struggle, I’ve had many prayers answered over the years, so I know its power. I suppose I’m just lazy. I want to do better in my prayer life; I want to give myself to prayer when life is hard, and when it’s good, too.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

I’m feeling kinda blah today. It’s probably those blessed hormones that we women get to enjoy! ha! I feel extra sensitive about things that normally don’t bother me. It’s frustrating to know my mind that feeling a certain way is unreasonable and probably even inaccurate, and be unable to change my feelings! I feel weak, like I just can’t keep going. I have no reason to feel this way.

Today, I picked up my Bible and opened up to Psalm 103. The whole chapter is excellent, if you can read it today, please do. The verses above where such a blessing. I needed to hear that my Father “pitieth” me, for I certainly fear Him! It’s a joy to know that He’s forgotten about my past sins, they’re forgiven, so why don’t I forgive myself? He knows I’m just dust, yet, He loves me anyway! I surly did need to hear that today.

How ’bout you? Are you feeling blah? Maybe you feel like a failure, and you’re ready to quit? Whatever your feelings are today, just remember the following:

• Feelings change. They may not change at will, but they will change! 
• Feelings can often be manipulated by hormones, so before you give  up on life, ask yourself if these emotions could be hormone driven. I’m not saying to act badly and blame your hormones. I’m saying to consider your actions carefully because of your hormones. 
• God cares about us, even our feelings, and is always ready to listen to you and me. What a blessing!

Psalm 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

This verse was good news to me this morning. I may not be “destitute” in the literal sense of the word. It means “not having the basic necessities of life.” I have food and shelter and clothing, I have the “necessities”. But I feel needy in other ways. I feel spiritually needy. I’ve been fighting my flesh in a certain area for a while. It rises up, I conquer it. It rises again, I stumble, then conquer it. I’m out of breath, but I keep going. I’m loaded down, but I keep moving, even if it’s just an inch. I need help. I need renewal, revival, refreshment…and any other good “re” word! 🙂

What a blessing it was to see that those of us who are destitute, and in this case meaning, “not having the necessities of spiritual strength” (my own version of the word), can pray. Best of all, God will hear and not despise our prayer! I’m looking for an answer today, and everyday. I need His help.We are beginning revival services this coming Sunday through Thursday. I’m praying for God to do a work in everyone that comes, but especially me. I need Him to work in me.

Is. 64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.

When I was a little girl, I used to wish that Jesus could come down and talk with me, face to face. To tell me that yes, He was there. To tell me what I, specifically do with my life. You know, like, “Valerie, you should become a _________ and marry __________.” Of course, in time, He did show me what I should do and whom I should marry! But it would have been nice to have heard it with my ears straight from Him.

Today, this verse in Isaiah caught my attention. It’s like Isaiah is saying the same thing I used to say as a kid! In fact, I just told my husband the other day that I wish Jesus could come down and see us in person! I want to cry at His feet (real feet). I want to worship and adore Him (in person), I want to hear from His lips what we should do in the situations we are facing. I wish he would “rend the heavens” and “come down”.

The truth is, I can cry at His feet, worship and adore Him, and hear from His lips what He wants me to do. No, none of it is literal, but real enough through the eye of faith. And you know, He just might “rend the heavens” and call His children home to heaven today! Would that be wonderful?! Are you ready? I sure am. He’s my best, and often, my only friend. I wish I could see Him, just like I wish I could see some of my real-life friends. It’s a blessing to know that someday, I will see Him, and that it might be today.