Read the Book: October - DecemberSample

HELP ME, O GOD

I was always told, “When you don’t know what to pray, pray the Psalms.” When we think of coming to God in prayer it's often for intercession: prayers for our families, for healing, for provision, or for the lost to come to Christ. But what about when we are wronged, angered, or want justice? 

The Bible is clear; we have a righteous God who cares about justice and hates sin. God invoked His ultimate justice and wrath on His only Son so that He could forever give us common grace for our sin. We need to remember that we are called to extend this same grace to our enemies, to love and pray for them, even when we’re wronged. We are called to be merciful, but at the same time, live for the Lord and seek righteousness for others. But it’s not always easy. How do we do it?

In Psalm 109, David is asking God to invoke His wrath on David’s enemies. While he pours his honest hurt and suffering heart out to God, David leaves judgment to God and praises Him for His perfect judgment. The Psalms remind us that anger can be righteous, and God cares about it. Praying this psalm is not about hating others, but rather hating sin and evil just as God does. We can exhibit our love for the gospel and have a righteous hatred against evil.

Having an intimate relationship with God includes working through suffering, frustration, and anger with the only One who truly understands our hearts. Christ knows how it feels to be betrayed, cursed, and beaten down. But God bore the entire weight of justice and wrath on His Son, and because of that, you can confide in Him and ask for His guidance. Even through our deepest emotion, we have the gift of communing with God through prayer, and He is eager to extend both His perfect judgment and grace. 

FAMILY CONNECTION

What are some ways we can praise God? Sing? Dance? Pray? Give our time and money? There are lots of ways to worship. Take a minute and play a favorite worship song (How High by Bridge Worship is great for kids). Have the kids listen. What are your favorite words in the song? We praise God because He first loved us. He created us and has a plan for us.