Prayer, Praise and Promises 8/10

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 89:46-52

A Few Reminders

Read Psalm 89:46-52

"How long, Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire?" (v. 46). These questions come from the broken heart of a man who wondered why God's people were going through so much trouble. Several times we see the word remember in these verses. "Remember how short my time is; for what futility have You created all the children of men?" (v. 47). What could the psalmist possibly remind God about?

He reminds Him that life is short. God did not make us in vain. Sometimes we receive His grace in vain. Sometimes what He does for us is in vain. But that's our fault, not His. Life is short. That's good to remember the next time you are tempted to sin. Why waste time disobeying God?

Then he reminds God of His promises. "Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses, which You swore to David in Your truth?" (v. 49). This refers to the covenant God had made with David. It looked as though God had broken His promise. He doesn't break His promises, but He likes to have us remind Him of them.

Next, he reminds God of their reproach. "Remember, Lord, the reproach of Your servants--how I bear in my bosom the reproach of all the many peoples, with which Your enemies have reproached, O Lord" (vv. 50,51). Remember our reproach. Why? Because it detracts from the glory of God.

Let's remind ourselves that we are here to bring glory to His name. The psalmist ends on the mountains: "Blessed be the Lord forevermore! Amen and Amen" (v. 52). He starts with burdens and ends with blessing. He starts with sighing and ends with singing, because he lifts his broken heart to the Lord in prayer.

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When you go through troubled times, remember God's promises and remind Him of them. He is faithful to His Word.

Psalm 89:46-52 (New International Version)

46 How long, O LORD ? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how fleeting is my life.
For what futility you have created all men!

48 What man can live and not see death,
or save himself from the power of the grave [a] ?
Selah

49 O Lord, where is your former great love,
which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

50 Remember, Lord, how your servant has [b] been mocked,
how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

51 the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,
with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.

52 Praise be to the LORD forever!
Amen and Amen.
Footnotes:

1. Psalm 89:48 Hebrew Sheol
2. Psalm 89:50 Or your servants have