YOU ARE A PERSONAL GOD
"I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen MY troubles, and You care about the anguish of MY soul. You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place" (Psalm 31:7-8, NLT).
This Psalm isn't talking about believers in general, though it applies to each one of them. It isn't talking about principles, though the principle of God's care and compassion is true. It is talking about ME and it is talking about YOU. It is specific and it is personal.
I want to challenge you to take this Psalm and pray it three ways. I'm going to walk you through each way to show you how. But you can do this with so many different passages in the Bible. Don't just read the Bible for information. It is God's love letter to you.
PRAY THIS OUT LOUD AND CHANGE THE WORDS TO MAKE IT FROM GOD TO YOU (because it is):
"Gayle, (insert YOUR name) I want you to be happy today, and I want you to rejoice in My unfailing love. Don't be fearful, discouraged, or despondent. I will not fail you or forsake you. I will always love you. I have seen your troubles. I know what you are going through. I know every little detail, and I care deeply. I care about the anguish of your soul. I haven't handed you over to your enemies. I will not hand you over to your enemies. If you will come to Me, I will surround you with My protection and set you in a safe place. I know, I see, I care, and I will protect you. Rejoice. This is truth."
YOU CAN ALSO PRAY THIS OUT LOUD AND CHANGE THE WORDS TO MAKE IT FROM YOU TO GOD (because it should be):
"O LORD, I am glad and overflowing with joy because I know that Your love will never fail me. Others have let me down, and others have disappointed me, but You never have, and You never will. When I feel unseen by those around me, I know that You see me. There is nowhere I can go where You do not have Your eye constantly on me. I am that important to You. You see every detail of my life. You know all my troubles. And You not only know, but you deeply care about the anguish of my soul. Others don't know, and others don't care. But You do. You see, You care. And when I run to You I know that You will keep me safe from all my troubles and all my enemies. I know that You are stronger than anything or anyone that comes against me. You will set me in a safe place where I am secure in Your love and protected from all harm. You are all I need."
YOU CAN TAKE THE WORDS TO THIS PSALM AND PRAY THEM ON BEHALF OF YOUR LOVED ONE (because you know it is the will of God):
"O LORD, I pray that (insert the name of your loved one) would find his joy in Your unfailing love. I ask that You look down in compassion on his troubles and the anguish of his soul. Rescue him. Go behind enemy lines and set him free from the power and bondage of Satan. Shine Your light on him, save him, and set him in a safe place. I know this is who You are. I know this is what You long to do. I ask You to do it. Thank you."
There are certainly things in the Bible that don't apply specifically to you. God hasn't anointed you to be the next king of Israel. But there are hundreds and hundreds of promises in the Bible that are absolutely hanging on the branches of a tree, waiting for you to pick and eat. "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
