Day 112: 2 Samuel 4-6; Luke 18:18-43; Day 14 Prayer Journal
PRAYER & PRAISE
Prayer is David's practice. How often do we read, "David inquired of the LORD" (e.g., 2 Samuel 5:19, 23)? In 2 Samuel 6 we have the famous recounting of the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. If you read this and the expanded parallel account in 1 Chronicles 13 & 15, you will see that the journey becomes one of prayer and offering and worship and praise. E.M. Bounds calls praise 'the fragrance of prayer and its crown.' Wow! From his perspective, prayer ultimately breaks out in praise and thanksgiving...'the spirit of prayer and true praise go hand in hand.' The beauty of the prayer and praise march of the Ark ends in David's powerful confession when he was challenged about his 'undignified' worship: "Oh yes, I’ll dance to God’s glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I’m concerned . . . I’ll gladly look like a fool . . ." (2 Samuel 6:21b-22a, The Message). Completely given over to Yahweh, David worshiped in total abandon.
Tomorrow is the LORD's Day. His children will gather all over the globe to celebrate our Living Lord. Everywhere, yes, and here in Millville, I am praying that our praise will be the fragrance and crown of our preparation in prayer. Then we will encounter our God of immeasurably more (Ephesians 3:20-21), Who as we read in our Day 14 challenge, is 'continually able' and 'still working' intensely 'through [His] unlimited power' (Debra Voelker). Yes, 'exceedingly abundantly above' all, He is able and active, purposefully, powerfully, purely and perfectly displaying His glory in Christ and the Church. Do it here, Lord God!
Prayer is David's practice. How often do we read, "David inquired of the LORD" (e.g., 2 Samuel 5:19, 23)? In 2 Samuel 6 we have the famous recounting of the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. If you read this and the expanded parallel account in 1 Chronicles 13 & 15, you will see that the journey becomes one of prayer and offering and worship and praise. E.M. Bounds calls praise 'the fragrance of prayer and its crown.' Wow! From his perspective, prayer ultimately breaks out in praise and thanksgiving...'the spirit of prayer and true praise go hand in hand.' The beauty of the prayer and praise march of the Ark ends in David's powerful confession when he was challenged about his 'undignified' worship: "Oh yes, I’ll dance to God’s glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I’m concerned . . . I’ll gladly look like a fool . . ." (2 Samuel 6:21b-22a, The Message). Completely given over to Yahweh, David worshiped in total abandon.
Tomorrow is the LORD's Day. His children will gather all over the globe to celebrate our Living Lord. Everywhere, yes, and here in Millville, I am praying that our praise will be the fragrance and crown of our preparation in prayer. Then we will encounter our God of immeasurably more (Ephesians 3:20-21), Who as we read in our Day 14 challenge, is 'continually able' and 'still working' intensely 'through [His] unlimited power' (Debra Voelker). Yes, 'exceedingly abundantly above' all, He is able and active, purposefully, powerfully, purely and perfectly displaying His glory in Christ and the Church. Do it here, Lord God!
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