In praying Psalm 16.11, “Show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forevermore,” God has been opening up my hunger to know more of the Word of God. One of my new favorite games to play with God is treasure hunting. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ Jesus. So I’m searching Him out to find the treasures hidden within His presence. I am finding joy and pleasures that far surpass any worldly entertainment. Praise God!
Tonight I’ve been meditating on the promise God made to David in 2 Samuel 7, “that his throne would be established forever.” The verses that stuck out to me came from David’s response to God’s promise, 2 Samuel 7:25, 27-29, “And now, O LORD God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it forever; do as you have promised…For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant; 29 now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you; for you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” The treasure I found was that God’s promise provoked David to pray. David had confidence in God’s promise thus had courage to ask God for it.
Jacob also prayed God’s promise back to Him. When Jacob was about to pass through the home of Esau, he was terrified, uncertain of how Esau would receive him after having duped him out of his birthright. God promised Jacob he would “do him good and make his offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number” (Gen 28). In Genesis 32 when Jacob is about to encounter Esau, Jacob prays this back to God. In his fear and trembling, he found comfort in the promise of God. Praying God’s promise actually helped him face Esau.
Truly God’s word is a comfort and a refuge for those in need. I am provoked all the more to pray the scriptures, knowing that I too will find strength and grow in the knowledge of God as His word is written on my heart.
