Jesus is the Answer!
By Carolyn Bridges
Psalm 13:5-6 (New King James Version)
5) But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6) I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
David begins Psalm 13 by longing for deliverance from his enemies. Then he makes an abrupt turn-around in verse 5, however, praising God and expressing his confidence in God’s delivering power.
A good illustration of Psalm 13 is found in Acts 4:23-31. Peter and John were arrested for preaching in the name of Jesus. The officials could not hold them in prison, so they let them go, commanding them not to ever preach in the name of Jesus again. When they came and told the other disciples about what had happened to them, they abruptly turned their attention off of the problem toward God. They began to pray for God to empower them even greater to preach the Word of God.
Some of us would have gone to God in prayer like this: “God, you told us to be here and look what happened. Everything is all messed up now. We can’t even speak your name anymore. What are we going to do?”
But Peter, John and the other disciples prayed an amazing prayer. “They raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, and the people ploy vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ…
They continued: “…Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your hold Servant Jesus.”
But I thought the officials told them not to speak God’s word. They prayed for boldness to speak even better, stronger, louder, and that signs and wonders would follow them. They prayed so fervent that the house shook.
I believe they adopted this attitude from David. It would do us good to adopt this attitude for ourselves. Things don’t always work out perfectly in life. But God never promised a perfect life. He promised victory over every problem that has come up, though. It is up to us to go forth and take that victory by taking a hold to God’s Word and speaking it out of our mouths.
When adversity comes your way, use this model for a prayer to victory:
1. Find the promise in God’s Word that covers the issue. Joshua 1:8
2. Ask God specifically for what you want. Matthew 7:7,8
3. Believe that you receive the answer. Mark 11:23-25
4. Praise God for answering your prayer. Psalm 13:5-6
Keeping your eyes on the goodness of the Lord always brings you victory!
Have a great day in the Lord.
