Thursday... What we ask for can be unnecessary.

Sometimes what we ask for in our prayers is unnecessary. Look at how David starts his prayer in Psalm 141:1 (MSG), "God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears - it's my voice you're hearing!"

Now from God's point of view that is unnecessary because He is always close. If we have a personal relationship with Him He is even in our heart. His Spirit is in us and He knows our voice. It just is that we need that reinforcement, that confidence. We need to reinforce the fact that He is close and He does know our voice. And He does.

Now there is an unless in there, unless we are not close to Him. There are so many things in us that can get in the way of God. Yes He may be close but we are not looking for Him, we are not close to Him. Later David says in verse 8, "But God, dear Lord, I only have eyes for you. Since I've run for dear life to you, take good care of me." And that is what He wants to do for us but for it to happen that is what we must want too. It's all in the relationship.

Earlier in verses 3-4 (NLT), David says, "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong." Verse 5 goes on, "Let the godly strike me! It will be kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it." And that is why it is so important to be close to those who love you and love God. God wants to use them to keep us on track. Again it is the relationship.

And back to verses 8-10 in the NLT, "I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord. You are my refuge; don't let them kill me. Keep me from the traps they have set for me, from the snares of those who do wrong. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, but let me escape."

And that is what He wants to do for us. It's all in the relationship. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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