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TODAY'S SPECIAL: Psalm 116:1-19

TO CHEW ON: "I love the Lord because He has heard my voice and my supplications." Psalm 116:1

Writings where the author expresses what we are feeling are pieces we read over and over. Psalm 116 is such a passage for anyone who has been through a life-threatening, near-death experience. Note the writer's varied reactions to the resolution of his too-close-for comfort event. To which can you relate?

1. Uninhibited love: "I love the Lord..." - Psalm 116:1
It's obvious the speaker was desperate when he cried out to God. Now he is full of love for the God who responded.

2. Resolve to pray more - Psalm 116:2
Because God answered his prayer, he is now determined to pray as long as he lives.


3. Fresh testimony - Psalm 116:3-6; 10-11
He can't help but relive the close call he had. "I was at death's door when I prayed," he tells us. "All I could do was utter a simple call out to God."


4. Time to get back to normal living - Psalm 116:7-8
"Soul, you can relax again," he says to his overwrought emotions.


5. New commitment to do God proud - Psalm 116:9
When he resolves, "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living," it's as if he's saying, 'You won't be sorry you rescued me, God. I'll show you that I was worth it.'

6. New appreciation of salvation - Psalm 116:12-13
I see the writer here, holding up his cup that is full of salvation wine, giving a toast to God.

7. Determined to keep sickbed promises - Psalm 116: 14, 18-19
He obviously did a little bargaining with God, a little vowing and promising when he was down. Now he reminds himself of these promises and determines to keep them.


8. New insights into death - Psalm 116:15
It's as if the writer has looked death in the face and realized it wasn't all terror. For death would usher him into the presence of God, and God's celebration of their being face to face.


9. Renewed commitment to serve God - Psalm 116:16
"I am Your servant," he says, and repeats it, as if determined that his servant role will define him from now on.


10. An overflow of thanksgiving - Psalm 116:17
What else but thanksgiving could flow from an experience like that?

Don't these responses ring true — the overwhelming love we feel for God after He answers a desperate prayer, the urge to tell everyone what has just happened, the remembrance of promises made to God when in the thick of trouble, new insights into death, a strengthened resolve to serve God and be thankful for extraordinary and ordinary blessings...

If you're in a desperate place right now, let Psalm 116 be the light at the end of your tunnel. You might even want to pray its words and promises over your situation in faith. If you've come through such a time, let this psalm express your love, renewed loyalty and gratitude to God.



PRAYER: I love You Lord, because You hear my prayer. I will walk before You now, in the land of the living. I will keep my promises to You and be full of thanksgiving. Amen.


MORE: Prayer and Hope

"After you've worshiped and petitioned to the best of your Holy-Spirit-energized ability, rest it all with Him. The answers may not come in the size packages you suppose, or be delivered at the moment you have in mind. But trust in Him. All power and glory are His. And in freely and praisefully speaking that, you open the door to His invitation that you share it with Him...in His way, at His time." Jack Hayford quoted in Prayer Powerpoints, p.223 (taken from Prayer is Invading the Impossible p. 107).