Prayer in Context

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices   Psalm 16:8-9

Rejoices – If you’re going to make a joyful noise to the Lord, then you might be interested in the context of rejoicing.  Every kind of prayer has a context.  Sometimes it’s desperation.  Sometimes it’s trauma.  Sometimes it’s thanksgiving.  Rejoicing is no different.  David gives us the proper context for rejoicing in this verse and in Psalm 2:11.  Both are essential. 

In this verse, David tells us that rejoicing (giyl) is motivated by the unfailing presence of God.  When I realize that God is at my right hand (an idiom for support and strength), I know that the course of my life depends entirely on Him.  That is a foundation that cannot be moved.  Therefore, I will not waver.  Fear of circumstances can be thrust aside.  While the future is not up to me, it is up to God and since He is my strong shield, I have nothing to fear.  From face-to-the-ground humility, I can leap up, raising my hands to heaven in honor of the One Who favors me.  That is my motivation for rejoicing.  The context is all about Who He is, not where I am.  Rejoicing comes about because God can be trusted regardless of my situation.

Jesus in the Garden.  Paul in prison.  Steven about to be stoned.  Joan of Arc at the stake.  Bunyan in prison.  The list goes on and on.  Followers who rejoiced in God’s character in spite of their dire circumstances.  You and I can live in exactly the same context of rejoicing prayer.  God doesn’t change, so why be crushed by life’s trials?  No matter what, it is always worth rejoicing over Him.

To see the other half of the context of rejoicing, take a look at Psalm 2:11.  Rejoicing has some compatriots.  They are called “fear and trembling.”  You see, dancing and shouting and rejoicing before the Lord never loses sight of His awesome majesty.  When we truly rejoice in Who He is, we discover we are in the presence of blinding holiness.  So, sometimes rejoicing feels a lot like terror, not of fear, but of unworthiness.  You might think of Isaiah’s opening words.  Woe is me!  That is also rejoicing.  It is exuberance over the unimaginable power of the God Who calls me His own.

When you pray, do you pray in context?  Are you aware of the surrounding angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty?”