We Need to Find the True North to Our Prayers

May 31

May 31 We Need to Find the True North to Our Prayers

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word

Our Priority in Prayer

When we are desperate and despairing, most of us focus on our problem, ourselves, or both—even when we pray. And, as said by many before, the most common prayer is simply — “Help!”

Yet, throughout the Psalms, we see a greater emphasis on acknowledging who God is than specific petitions or concerns. When a psalmist makes a request or questions God about a situation, He makes declarations about God’s sovereign power while remembering how the Lord answered prayer before.

This is not just a formulaic element of the Psalms—it’s the primary focus of the Psalmists themselves. We also see this with the example of prayer Jesus gave His disciples when they asked Him to teach them to pray. This model prayer begins with acknowledging who God is — “Father …” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4).

This is critically important when it comes to prayer! Not for the proper form, but for the correct perspective.

When God created the universe, He set the stars—including our sun—to rule over the heavens (Genesis 1:14-18). The Earth is not the center of the universe—it is one minor planet within the universe—and the Earth revolves around the sun in our solar system. In a similar way, the universe doesn’t revolve around us and our lives.

Realizing who God is—the Lord Almighty—gives us the correct perspective. North is the constant direction for a compass. It provides a reference for whatever direction we’re moving in. So, you could say the Lord is the “True North” for our lives. He gives us the correct direction for our lives when we look to Him.

This psalm gives us one more reminder to see God as greater than ourselves and our problems.

Scripture

A maskil by Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing forever about the evidence of your mercy, O Lord.
I will tell about your faithfulness to every generation.
I said, “Your mercy will last forever. Your faithfulness stands firm in the heavens.”
You said, “I have made a promise “ to my chosen one. I swore this oath to my servant David:
‘I will make your dynasty continue forever.
I built your throne to last throughout every generation.’ ” Selah [vss 1-4]
O Lord, the heavens praise your miracles
and your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
Who in the skies can compare with the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord?
O Lord God of Armies, who is like you? [vss 5-6, 8]
The heavens are yours. The earth is also yours.
You made the world and everything in it. You created north and south. [vss 11-12]
Your arm is mighty. Your hand is strong.
Your right hand is lifted high.
Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne.
Mercy and truth stand in front of you.
Blessed are the people who know how to praise you.
They walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
They find joy in your name all day long.
They are joyful in your righteousness because you are the glory of their strength.
By your favor you give us victory.
Our shield belongs to the Lord. Our king belongs to the Holy One of Israel. [vss 13-18]
(Psalm 89:1-18 GW) [Context– Psalm 89]

Psalm 89

Reflections and insights

This psalm was written during a time of moral and spiritual decline, but before the exile of Israel. It's called the Covenant Psalm because of its proclamation of the promise of the Messiah from the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel chapter 7.

This psalm has four major segments to it. The first segment—verses 1-18—acknowledges God’s greatness and favor. The next part speaks of the promised Messiah found in the Davidic Covenant (verses 19-37).

After the reminder of the promised Messiah, the psalmist reflects on Israel’s fall from the favor of God and may speak of the latter reign of King Solomon and beyond. We find this sorrowful segment in verses 38-45. This psalm closes with a plea for restoration and short benediction (in verses 46-52).

Even before their exile, Israel lost much of its sovereign freedom as a nation and the favor of God because of their sin as a nation. A vital element of the Old Covenant and the Davidic Covenant was the promise of restoration. If, and when, God's people return to the Lord and His covenant, God promised to restore them as a nation.

Those of us who know the Lord Jesus through His covenant of grace also have the promise of restoration. And we also have the responsibility to return to God in repentance when our hearts wander away from Him.

Reflection—

Are you a believer but find yourself in a place of desperation? Reset the compass of your life with God as your Northpoint, and remember who He is—a God who is righteous yet tender, Almighty, and merciful.

Prayer Focus—

When you seem to lose direction in life, realign yourself with God as your Northpoint. Remember how He answered your prayers before? Use this as a starting point to give thanks and praise to Him as you ask Him to guide you into the next step of your life.

Here's a worship song that expresses the similar theme of this psalm– Who Is Like Our God?

[Psalm 89 is the last psalm in the third of the five books of the 150 collected Psalms]

Would you like a free study guide for your study of Psalms?

Click the link for a free Psalms Study Guide

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (books mentioned and linked).