Freedom from oppression – deliverance (Prayer day 20)

The Lord’s prayer ends with the phrase “deliver us of evil” reminding us that our Father desires us to live in freedom, and invites us to call for help.

Scripture

Psalm 40:1-3, 11-17 – A Psalm of David

1  I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

3  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

11  As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!

12  For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.

13  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!

14  Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonour who delight in my hurt!

15  Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16  But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!”

17  As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord thinks about me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

Observations and reflections

1. Visualize the Lord’s saving act that David describes in verses 1-3. What was David’s situation like in the beginning of verse 1, and what was David’s situation like in verse 3?
2. What “evil” / “enemies” do David need deliverance from? (verses 12 and 14)
3. Why does David have confidence to pray to the Lord for help? (verses 11b and 17)
4. Look at how honest David prays in verses 11-17. How would you describe his prayer? What draws your attention most, and why?

Personal reflection and Application

God is a merciful saviour!  Our world is sin-full, leading to bondage – in our outer environment and inner motives and emotions.  But God is our merciful and mighty saviour who invites us to call on him when we are in need.

1. Can you recall a time when God had saved you from a dire situation? Recall that in prayer to God, thanking and praising him.
2. Consider your current outer and inner world.

• In which ways so you experience enslavement or bondage in your outer world of activities, possessions, etc? Examples could be debt, abuse, unfair treatment at work, etc.
• In which ways so you experience enslavement or bondage in your inner world of thoughts, identity, purpose, relationships etc? Examples could be addictive habits, fear, shame, etc.
• Tell God how you feel about these.
• Ask God to save you from it, and declare your trust in Him.

“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord thinks about me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”

 

 

 

 

Knowing Jesus 2

The Aim of this devotional study is to know Jesus and his ministry on earth, as well as his relationship with God the Father and Holy Spirit.

Scripture:

[The context: It’s a while after Pentecost, and Peter is presenting the gospel to non-Jews in Cornelius’ house for the first time after the Lord Jesus gave him a vision to not prevent them from the gift of salvation]

Acts 10:36-42

36  “As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37  you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

39  And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40  but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41  not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42  And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”

Observation:

(Note: use a pen and paper today – it won’t take longer but you will learn so much more!)

1. What did Peter tell the Cornelius’ household of the life and ministry of Jesus? (what Jesus did and will do).
2. From this preaching, what would Cornelius’ household learn about the names, titles and offices of Jesus? (who Jesus is)
3. In this sermon of Peter we learn quite a bit about the God being three-in-one. What does Peter reveal to the non-Jewish hearers about the relationship between God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Application

1. Have you experienced Jesus as the Healer and Deliverer yet? How and when?
2. How do you relate to Jesus as “Lord of all” (10v36)
3. Peter preached that Jesus will be your “judge”? How do you feel and how do you reason about that?
4. Peter said “Jesus commanded us to preach and testify…” – who is the first person that comes to mind that need to hear Jesus saving gospel?

Prayer

1. Do you need healing or deliverance? Pray to the Healer and Deliverer!
2. Pray a prayer of submission (your whole life or one specific aspect) to Jesus, the Lord of All.

Pray with David to Jesus, the Judge of All the verses below, then respond to what the Lord shows you in prayer.

Psalms 139:23-24   “Search me, [Lord[, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

God bless you with confidence today!