Highlights:

David's prayer for deliverance from enemies; his confidence in God's promises; David's exhortation to praise God for His goodness.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. . . . O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come (Ps. 62:5; 65:2).

As Christians we often find ourselves in prayer with our mind full of thoughts that consist of our immediate wants or needs, seldom allowing time for God to respond. Our Lord's desire is for us to wait . . . only upon God, for His answer. While there is nothing wrong in praying for these things, there are more elements to prayer than just asking.

Prayer should be an interaction between God and man. We should pray with our hands raised to heaven, not only to receive but also in worshipful reverence to our Creator and Lord. This is a time to offer praise and repent of sin. However, that is just our speaking to God. There is a second part that is needed. What about allowing Him to speak to us? But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it (Luke 11:28).

As we spend time in earnest prayer and meditation on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit reveals His will to us. It is through His Word that God speaks directly to us. By combining prayer and the Bible, we create a great spiritual refuge that the enemy will find it next to impossible to enter. We build a place of great defense to stand when the devil comes against us.

Waiting upon the Lord is not lost time. It doesn't mean doing nothing or having an attitude of “what will be, will be.” Waiting upon the Lord is our way of developing a right relationship with Him. In waiting, we give God a chance to answer the prayers being offered up to Him. We allow God to lead us in the direction He wants us to go. The psalmist learned to give God time to speak to him: I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope (Ps. 130:5).

Abraham waited for years. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise (Heb. 6:15; Gen. 17:15-19). Listen for His voice to guide you down the road of His choosing. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:27). They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Is. 40:31).

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer (Rom. 12:12).

Thought for Today:

God is never late in meeting our needs, but He often tests our faith.

Christ Revealed:

As the Rock — the unmovable, eternal, unchanging Savior (Ps. 61:2; 62:2,6-7). Jesus is the Rock of our salvation and that spiritual Rock (Petras) that followed (accompanied) them (Israelites) (I Cor. 10:4).

Word Studies:

60:12 do valiantly, gain the victory, do great things; 61:4 covert, shelter, protecting power; 62:9 to be laid in the balance, they prove to be worthless; 63:5 marrow and fatness, the richest of foods; 64:6 search out iniquities, devise injustices; 64:8 their own tongue to fall upon themselves, their own words will bring them to ruin; 66:3 terrible, awesome.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Government Officials: Rep. David Dreier (CA), Rep. Jim A. Himes (CT), Rep. John Fleming (LA), Rep. Roger F. Wicker (MS), Rep. Todd Akin (MO), and Rep. Nita M. Lowey (NY) • Country: Liberia (3 million) in West Africa • Major languages: English and more than 20 local languages of the Niger-Congo language group • Religious freedom • 41% ancestor worship and witchcraft; 21% Muslim; 13% Protestant; 2% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayer of thanksgiving for the marvelous blessings of God (Ps. 18:1-3).

Optional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 22:12