Next level of praying Psalms

Different response

Praying psalms is a communication process between our inner being and the Holy Spirit. Our respond reflected what kind of relationship we have with Him or how far apart is our heart from the Spirit. The more we pray, the more we know Him, but this knowledge may still be very shallow and superficial. It took me years to see clearly that I am at this stage only, because I still don’t have serious desire to “dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.”

I see now the Spirit is telling me through this verse, there are unlimited wonderful and important things from above I should inquire of Him, for all the days of my life. But what have we done? I guess those who have faith like the centurion in Matthew chapter 8 would practice the inquiring in his temple all the time. But I find it so very difficult to put even half of what I wrote into practice. And there are so many things I have not learned yet. Even in just psalms 1 and 2, I missed all the essential things we suppose to learn;

• (Psalms 1:1 NKJV) BLESSED is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; In this verse, there three types of people we have to identify and stay away. There are many people around us, from workplace, church, relatives and friends, do we know who is the ungodly? Are we suppose to decide by ourselves or seek the Lord? Do we know the consequence of walking in the counsel of the ungodly and standing in the path of sinners?
• (Psalms 1:5-6 NKJV) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Alas, I can’t explain why I haven’t even thought about seeking the Lord for this. Maybe I have too much self-confidence.
• (Psalms 2:11) Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. I may have prayed this psalm for more than a hundred times, but have no idea how to rejoice with trembling. Is it okay we just don’t care what it means? I have to admit my heart is so far away from the Spirit that I am not that interested in knowing him more.

In fact, psalm 25:4 “Show me your ways,” is the principle, many truth in the Bible is spiritual that we can’t understand without being taught by God. We need specify what we want to know. For example, If I am serious about the word in psalm 1, I would have to ask, “show me how to walk not in the counsel of the ungodly“. “Show me who are those ungodly that I need to stay away”. Don’t know why so few people have respect for the word of God.

The second part of this verse is crucial, “Nor stands in the path of sinners” but I have not asked the Lord to teach me “how to stand not in the path of sinners”. Maybe we still have too much love for earthly things and sin, and prefer to not know what is sin exactly. Jesus emphasized this in (Matthew 5:30) “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

I have sinned, I know many scriptures but failed to obey them. I have been struggling all the time without much success. Please pray for me if you can, as I fear this scripture is already here: (1 Peter 4:17-18) For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Anyway, many of us are too careless about God’s word. Let’s repent and pray;

Sovereign Lord, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit:
“BLESSED is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
We have sinned and done wrong, we have no respect of your word and rebelled; we have not listened, nor obeyed your teaching.
Show me how to walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, O LORD; teach me stand not in the path of sinners.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.

THE LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Today, the body of Christ desperately need to learn inquiring of the Lord. (Hosea 4:6) my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. It is worse than ever before, as only few are seeking the living word from God, below are just few examples;
How to live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
How to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
How to “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
What is the “daily bread” from our Father in heaven?
How to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
How to “Enter through the narrow gate.”
How to “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
How to be “the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
How to test “those who claim to be apostles but are not.”
What are “the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
How to identify “those who are of the synagogue of Satan.”
……
However, the key issue is still hearing Jesus’ voice, “(Revelation 3:19-20) Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. So many have been deceived so badly they can’t see the word of God explicitly commanded all believers to desire the gift of prophecy, which has to get first, the ability to hear the Lord’s voice. (1 Corinthians 14, 31 ,39) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. … For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. … Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, It is no surprise to see all religious leaders do not like this word of God, for they love control and manipulation of the flock much more than God. Be on your guard, they will never mention this verse nor can they hear God’s voice, because they are not His sheep.

To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.