I. God Answers Prayer: fulfilling His perfect plan with perfect timing

A. God Sometimes makes us Wait; perfecting our lives while fulfilling His perfect plan with perfect timing

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.

B. God Answers Prayer; changing both our circumstances and emotions

2 He brought me up also out of a desolate pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3a and he put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God:

C. God Always Answers Prayer in such a way that He is glorified

3b many shall see, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (See Ps 34:8-18)

II. God Says Yes!: when we’re in a Position for Him to Bless us

 (Eyes focused on God; Ears open to His Word; Mouth praising & praying; Nose clean & to the grindstone}

A. Place Trust God not Lies

4 Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies/false gods.

B. Observe how God Works

5 Many, O LORD my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

C. Sacrificial Steps of Obedience to His Revealed Will

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; my ears you have dug; burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do your will, O my God: yea, your law is within my heart.

D. Inform Others of His Loyalty and Truth

9 I have preached/proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou know. 10 I have not hid your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your truth from the great congregation.

E. Take Focus off our Self-inflicted Problems and onto His Provision

11 Withhold not your tender mercies from me, O LORD: let your lovingkindness and your truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart fails me.

F. Imprecatory Psalms: Call down Curses instead of taking Revenge

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

G. Outlook: Sunny Skies with Showers of Salvation

16 Let all those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: let such as love your salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

H. Never Give up on the Truth

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me: you art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What are our responses to God saying “Wait.” Why is waiting difficult? What can help us?

2. What are some of the lies we’re inclined to trust in instead of God? How can we prevent ourselves from believing lies?

3. What are some evidences that someone is delighting to do God’s will?

4. How does Biblical faith/trust differ from positive thinking? (Heb 11:6)

5. Which of the attitudes/actions in #II. are commonly missing/difficult? How can you make sure you’re doing them?