Day Two: 31 Days of Prayer

July 2, 2010

Morning

Psalm 16, “A Miktam of David”

19^th century preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon believed that miktam meant “golden” or “precious.” The implication is that this Psalm contains things that are precious. Meditate on this Psalm until you understand why.

What is precious to you? The Bible never asks this question directly. But it does imply it many times. Matthew 10:37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Hard words, but the question is very clear: Who or what is your greatest love? Matthew 13:45-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. The question here is: For what great treasure would you sell everything that you have in order to purchase it? The Apostle Paul framed the question this way. Acts 21:13 "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." In other words, for whom or what are you willing to die? However, you frame the question, the answer reveals what is precious to you.

In each case, what should be most precious to you is clearly stated—the Lord. He is to be our first love and greatest treasure, worth dying for above all else. Is that what the Lord is to you? Is He precious or golden to you? If so, praise Him right now. If not, ask the Lord over this month to make Him so in your understanding. As you pray, claim Jesus’ promise in Matthew 10:39 Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Evening

When you have a “Top Secret” clearance, you have access to information that most others do not. Spurgeon also said that miktam “signifies a secret or mystery.” If you couple this meaning with this morning’s, the title could be: The Psalm of the Precious Secret. Let’s ask God to reveal to us the precious secret of this sacred Psalm.

In some ways “precious secret” describes all of God’s Word. Paul explained his own commissioning in such terms. Colossians 1:25-27 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Mystery means a secret of God that He has revealed. If we are Christ-followers, God has told us His secret!

This month remind yourself daily of the privilege of God’s revelation. Each time we open God’s Word, individually or corporately, He reveals His secrets. The angels longed to look in on these secrets. Instead God in His mercy revealed it to us (1 Peter 1:12). What a privilege! As you drift off to sleep tonight, give thanks for your Top Secret clearance.