Psalm 5 (TPT)
Intro: I love how the psalms express real feelings and emotions; today’s passage is called a lament—it expresses deep regret or sorrow. God created us to experience a full range of emotions, but sin has tainted their beauty. Learning to own and humbly bring every emotion before God is what forms us as a new creation in the image of Christ. Sometimes people think of Jesus as never being challenged by his own emotions. Not true. According to the Word of God, Jesus faced everything we face as human beings. “He understands humanity, for as a man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin (Heb 4:15). In our passage today, David prays and shares his emotions with the Lord…
Morning Watch
5
Listen, Yahweh, to my passionate prayer!
Can’t you hear my groaning?
2
Don’t you hear how I’m crying out to you?
My King and my God, consider my every word,
for I am calling out to you.
3
At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice
as I prepare [lay out] my sacrifice of prayer to you.
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar
and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.
Making It Right
4
I know that you, God, are never pleased with lawlessness,
and evil ones will never be invited into your house.
5
Boasters collapse, unable to survive your scrutiny,
for your hatred of evildoers is clear.
6
You will make an end of all those who lie.
How you hate their hypocrisy and despise all who love violence!
Multitude of Mercy
7
But I know that you will welcome me into your house,
for I am covered by your covenant of mercy and love.
So I come to your sanctuary [temple of your holiness] with deepest awe
to bow in worship and adore you.
8
Yahweh, lead me in the pathways of your pleasure
just like you promised me you would,
or else my enemies will conquer me.
Smooth out your road in front of me,
straight and level, so that I will know where to walk.
Multitude of Sins
9
Their words are unreliable.
Destruction is in their hearts,
drawing people into their darkness with their speeches [their throat is an open grave].
They are smooth-tongued deceivers, flattering with their words.
10
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their own schemes be their downfall!
Let the guilt of their sins collapse on top of them,
for they rebel against you.
Multitude of Blessings
11
But let them all be glad,
those who turn aside to hide themselves in you.
May they keep shouting for joy forever!
Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice.
Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.
12
Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous.
Your favor wraps around each one and covers them
under your canopy of kindness and joy.
Whatever emotions you may be experiencing today, by prayer take your feelings to the Lord. Like David, express the truth of how you are feeling. The Holy Spirit will give you the guidance to know how to view each emotion and how it should play out in your life and relationships. Christ is your Wisdom, so call upon his name. Let your love for the Lord be your first and greatest choice and every emotion will need to get into agreement with the King.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the reassurance that we are all made by your hand and emotions will always play a part in our lives. Thank you for the Spirit of Truth who helps us identify healthy emotions and the power to overcome unhealthy ones. Be the Wisdom your children need, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.