12/12/11 SET ME FREE FROM MY PRISON
12/12/11 SET ME FREE FROM MY PRISON
Psalm 142:1-7 Monday, December 12, 2011
Key Verse: 142:7 Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
“Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”
Dear Lord heavenly Father, thank you for being my source of joy and strength. Without you I would fall into a lonely place. I would loose all my joy and power to move forward. But with you as my refuge I can stand and fight spiritually. I can keep going and not give up. Thank you Jesus for being my refuge and my strong tower. I would not be able to stand if it were not for you. Please make me a source of blessing in my family, my church, DCC, and at my work at the hospital. Please bless the upcoming Chicago wide Christmas service. May Jesus be born in the hearts of all attendants. May there be unity among us as we advertise Christ to Chicago. Please grant me one word of God to hold onto. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
1. I have no refuge (1-4).
Verses 1-4, “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. 3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.”
David was in a cave hiding from Saul. But even in the cave, he felt no security, for no one cared for his life even among 600 refugees. The same can be said of our situation on earth. But David did not despair. He cried aloud and lifted his voice to God for mercy. He poured out all his complaint and trouble before God. Only God knows when our spirit grows faint within us.
My spirit grows faint within me. I have troubles in life and in my relationships with others. I am not alone like King David. There are many people who care. But there is times when I feel that few truly care. I am sure that a lot of people in this world feel that way. I hear Christmas is one of the most lonely times in the year. But I thank God that I can pour out my heart to my Lord and Savior, Jesus. He is there. He hears my prayer. He understands cries of the heart. I am glad for the family and the Christian and even the non-christian friends that I can pour out my heart to. But none can compare to the Jesus who hears and understands and has power to comfort and strengthen. I must tell the people of this world about this savior.
2. You are my refuge (5-7).
Verse 5-7, ““I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”
David’s enemies were too strong for him, but he cried out, “O Lord, you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living” (5). He believed that God would rescue him and set him free from his prison. We also are imprisoned by bad habits, sin, death, and Satan. But when we cry out to God, he sets us free from these enemies so that we may praise him together with all the righteous.
When I am feeling “down” the last thing I want to do is be surrounded by anyone. I have a tendency to be lost on a social networking site, with my back to the world and be quiet and sleep. But Jesus saves me from this to help me keep living life. He sets me free to where I can praise God and actually want to praise Jesus’ name around others believers. Thank you for your strengthening grace.
Prayer: O Lord, you are my refuge. You set me from the prison. Help me praise you forever.
One Word: Jesus hears my prayers.
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