I want to do a quick fly-by on several psalms. When we read the Bible devotionally, what we see is nearly always influenced by what we’re going through at the time. In my case, the only thing that’s been going on these past three weeks is a prostate issue.

So I’m seeing David’s prayers for deliverance:

To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28.1, 2, NKJV)

And his thanks when he experiences that deliverance:

Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. (Psalm 28.6, 7, NKJV)

A Psalm. A Song At the Dedication of the House of David. I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30.0 – 5, NKJV)

We think we have it made…until we don’t:

Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. (Psalm 30.6, 7, NKJV)

And then it’s back to prayer…with justification.

I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” (Psalm 30.8 – 10, NKJV)

And by the time the psalm is written…

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30.11, 12, NKJV)

“You have put off my sackcloth…” It’s not sackcloth and ashes, but I do wear nothing but loose-fitting sweats right now. I’ll be glad to wear something else and go somewhere!

There’s more, so let’s save it for another day.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5.14 – 16, NKJV – the elders didn’t come over, but the pastor prayed with me)

Update: I saw the urologist on Monday, and we have scheduled a procedure for February 27, 2+ weeks away. In the meantime, I’m functioning with the catheter out. A big answer to prayer!