Beloved, our word today is a problem–as a noun, a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome. As a verb–an inquiry starts from given conditions to investigate or demonstrate a fact, result, or law. As an adjective–denoting or relating to people whose behavior causes difficulties to themselves and others. The word problem is in the Bible twice in the book of Daniel.
because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” Daniel 5:12
But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel 5:16
Sweet friend Daniel knew all about problems; he was in a foreign land. So he refused to eat the food; he continued to pray and refused the land’s customs, not to mention being thrown into a den with lions.
Boy, we would all be millionaires if we could solve problems facing world hunger, peace, and homelessness. Daily at the hospital, illness is the primary problem, but the person’s needs socially impact the healing. So I boldly pray. Recently, my prayers were answered; a sweet patient who was on a breathing machine, and I prayed for her recovery. She is off the ventilator and gaining the strength to return home to her family. Don’t get me wrong, I know this is God’s work, and He does the healing. Henry Blackaby says that God is at work all around you, and God invites us to join him.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. I John 4:9
King David Prayer
Consider Psalm 55
Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
2 Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint, and I moan,
3 because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger, they bear a grudge against me.
4 My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
7 yes, I would wander far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
8 I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.”
9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night, they go around it
on its walls,
and iniquity and trouble are within it;
11 ruin is in its midst;
oppression and fraud
do not depart from its marketplace.
12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
13 But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
14 We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house, we walked in the crowd.
15 Let death steal over them;
let them go down to Sheol alive;
for evil is in their dwelling place and their heart.
16 But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice.
18 He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
19 God will give ear and humble them,
he who is enthroned from of old, Selah
because they do not change
and do not fear God.
20 My companion[b] stretched out his hand against his friends;
he violated his covenant.
21 His speech was smooth as butter,
yet war was in his heart;
his words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
23 But you, O God, will cast them down
into the pit of destruction;
men of blood and treachery
shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.
Beloved, whatever problem you are facing, God is with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Prayer
Father God,
Create a clean heart, search me, and see if I am worried or anxious. Thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You never leave or forsake me, and I can give you my problems. When I call to you, you listen. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
What problem do you need to give to God?
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