In Psalm 38 David is crying out to God for deliverance from his troubles. He attributes his suffering to his own sin in verse 4:
4For my iniquities have gone over my head [like waves of a flood]; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
We don't have another account of this to know just what David was suffering from and when this all occurred. The important thing to look at today is found in verse 15:
15For in You, O Lord, do I hope; You will answer, O Lord my God.
No matter what tests, trials and temptations we may face in this life, the ANSWER is always found IN HIM! Cry out to God for wisdom in the situation! Search His Word for promises that cover your particular need. Present that Word before Him and expect Him to answer you! Then continue to praise Him and watch with expectant hope and eager anticipation for the restoration of good and Godly things in your life!
In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 tells us what God's priority is for us concerning prayer:
1FIRST OF all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, 4Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.
Remember that prayer is communication with God. It involves speaking His Word back to Him, praying in the Spirit, praying with thanksgiving, praying direct petitions, and all of this first of all for leaders and those in authority. Verse 3 tells us that that type of praying is pleasing to Him because it IS according to His Word and His Will!
The rest of this chapter we will not address at this time. Many commentaries have been written about these passages suggesting that Jesus does not want women involved in ministry except in a supporting role. That simply does NOT line up with the rest of Scripture! In the Old Testament we have Deborah operating as a ruling Judge! In the New Testament we have Jesus Himself sending Mary to preach the Gospel to His disciples (the Good News that He is Risen! AMEN!). All through the book of Acts we see women involved in many aspects of the ministry! Add to all of this Galatians 3:28 and we have found a part of Scripture that we just don't quite get yet and we need to set it aside until we do! In the meantime, if YOU have been harassing women in the ministry - STOP - God is NOT pleased and you just may be in trouble! Psalm 105:15:
15Saying, Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm.
God's anointed is anyone who is born again and anyone whom HE has called and sent forth!
In Amos 6-7 God continues to speak to the people through Amos. He is SO very patient! But this looks like it may be the end of His patience with this group! Keep yourself in close intimate fellowship with Him by going to 1 John 1:9 the moment you are aware of sin and then continue to obey His Word. Let's not get to the end of His patience! We cannot lose our home in Heaven, but life on Earth can get pretty difficult if we try to do things our own way instead of His way! His way is ALWAYS better!
Shalom in Him!
