How Just Is Your Plea?
Hear me LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer -- it does not come from deceitful lips . . . Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil . . . My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. . . . Keep me as the apple of your eye . . . hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17)
One of the most fascinating statements I find in the Bible is God's open invitation in Isaiah 1:18, asking us to come and reason together with Him. This tells me that God is willing to listen to what we have to say! If our cause is just, we must not be afraid to tell Him.
There are times when our prayers take on a judicial appeal before God. This is especially so when we feel unjustly attacked and we want God to vindicate us.
Moses did this in Numbers 16:15 when he appealed to God against his attackers by saying, "I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor Have I wronged any of them."
Job pleaded his innocence several times. Paul said in Ephesians, "I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing." Even Jesus Himself said, "the prince of this world is coming, he has no hold over me . . ." God vindicates the righteous.
We can never underestimate the spiritual power of a righteous cause or person.
David tells God in this Psalm that his plea is just; he has no evil in his heart and he has not strayed from the path of righteousness. Based upon that, he confidently expects God to answer his prayers and grant him justice and protection.
So question: Are you calling upon God for vindication based upon a just plea? Have you kept your feet on the straight and narrow way?
If that is the case, then be confident because the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.
There are times when our prayers take on a judicial appeal before God. This is especially so when we feel unjustly attacked and we want God to vindicate us.
Moses did this in Numbers 16:15 when he appealed to God against his attackers by saying, "I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor Have I wronged any of them."
Job pleaded his innocence several times. Paul said in Ephesians, "I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing." Even Jesus Himself said, "the prince of this world is coming, he has no hold over me . . ." God vindicates the righteous.
We can never underestimate the spiritual power of a righteous cause or person.
David tells God in this Psalm that his plea is just; he has no evil in his heart and he has not strayed from the path of righteousness. Based upon that, he confidently expects God to answer his prayers and grant him justice and protection.
So question: Are you calling upon God for vindication based upon a just plea? Have you kept your feet on the straight and narrow way?
If that is the case, then be confident because the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.
Prayer: Lord, I cannot ask you to vindicate me if my hands are stained with guilt and unrighteousness. Please help me to live righteously so that I can say with confidence that my plea is just. Amen.