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Wisdom Prayer

What Is Man?

What Is Man?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask, “What is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?”

I heard a speaker who involved his audience when he said, “Consider adding five years to your life. How old does that make you? Now, change five to twenty-five years. How old would you be? Look around. Some of us may not be here.”

If our lives are like a passing shadow, it is hard to imagine that God would be interested in us.

The psalmist David in both Psalm 8 and 144, asks God the question.

Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV) says,

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?”

Psalm 144:3-4 (ESV) says,

“O Lord, what is man that you regard him,
or the son of man that you think of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days are like a passing shadow.”

God does take an intense interest in us. Scripture is God’s written communication to man. He was interested enough to inspire the authors to write the text. Won’t you take time to open the inspired word of God? Start by reading the book of John in the New Testament.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Shouts of Joy?

Shouts of Joy?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the Lord has done great things for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The great things God has done are a reason to shout for joy.

There is stark contrast between weeping and shouts of joy, yet scripture connects the two.

In Psalm 126:1-6 (ESV) the psalmist mentions the tears. Scripture also says what follows are the “shouts of joy.” Joyful shouts are mentioned three times in six verses.

Restoration would make a people rejoice and shout for joy!

The notes in the English Standard Version related to Psalm 126 refer to the idea that “Some scholars think that this is specifically ‘returned from exile’ (cf. Deut. 30:3), but the expression is more general than that…vv. 5-6 of Psalm 126 refer to the more general type of restoration.”

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.”

In life, people weep for a season and can later experience joy.

If you are in a season of weeping, it may be wise and appropriate to talk to a pastor or other trusted advisor. Prayer is also important. Hebrews 10:25 is about gathering together. Talk, pray, and gather together.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.