“Sing Unto the Lord a New Song: Meditations From the Book of Psalms.” Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sunday, July 15, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 07.15.2018” on Spreaker.
“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord;
and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire,
and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah” (Psalms 21:1-2).
It’s God’s Perogative
God loves to answer the prayers of His people. Do you believe it? Sadly, so few believe it. So few recognize that it’s God’s prerogative to answer according to what will bring Him the most glory and us the best good. Sometimes He says yes. Sometimes He says no.
Sometimes, He seems not to be listening, because we have not yet discerned His answer, which really means that we should continue pressing until we get a clear indication of His will.
Answered prayer is not synonymous with an affirmative response. However, as we get to know our loving heavenly Father, and we become more submissive to His will, it is sweet when our requests are so aligned with His mind, that affirmative answers are often prequalified. Seriously. Here’s just one of many examples of what I mean: “And this is the 
confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Did you see any qualifiers in the text for affirmative answers? I read just one – our prayers must be according to His will. If you want affirmative answers, align your life with God’s will.
Aligned with God
King David learned to patiently do just that. Often, you would read about him asking God how long He would withhold His answers, wait to destroy the wicked, humble the proud, and more. Just as often, or more, you would read about him praising God for His justice, love, mercy, goodness, and perfect timing. And, when God did answer the king’s prayers in the affirmative, he wasted no time at all, praising Him. Today’s Scripture focus is a perfect example. He praised God for His strength, affirmative answers to prayer, and ultimate salvation. He expressed his joy for experiencing the blessings. And he goes even further to say in verse 3 that God answered prayers and gave him bonus blessings before he asked. What a mighty God we serve!
Please do not let it be said that I tried to convince you that God always says yes. I am simply saying that king David, and a host of others are prime examples of those who experienced a lot of affirmative answers from God and bonus blessings, because they sought the will of God in priority above all else. Align your will with God’s and all of His answers will be a blessing to you, no matter what. Today’s a good day to begin.
Sing unto the Lord a new song. Celebrate the blessing of answered prayer.
