HONOR GOD BECAUSE HE HONORS US

Psalms 91:15 “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

We all want a place to go when we’re stressed or sad, tired or lonely, fearful or tempted, disappointed or discouraged. We want a place where we can unload our burdens and get some relief. When we feel insecure and inadequate we need a refuge - a shelter. We need a retreat. Prayer can transport us to such a place.

One young boy was telling the pastor that his mother said his prayers for him each night. "What do you mean, your mother says your prayers for you?" the puzzled minister inquired. The youngster replied, "When mom tucks me in she always says, "Thank God he’s in bed." Well that’s one way of utilizing prayer as a way to get away from it all, but there’s much more.

Talking to God is much more effective when we’ve been walking with God. We need to seek his face, not just his hand. Let’s say we need a favor. Who are we going to ask, a friend or a stranger? Naturally we’re going to ask a friend because we have a relationship with him. The closer the friend the more we may feel inclined to make bigger requests. That’s why we need to constantly nurture our friendship with God. Friendship is a two-way street. God is the initiator but we’re given an opportunity to reciprocate.

If we come to God only when we’re in trouble and not on a daily basis - what kind of friendship is that? That’s a one-way street kind of friendship. We’re just using God. On the other hand, when we have a lifestyle of continually walking and talking with God, like we do our other friends, we can call on him and he will answer. But be forewarned - he may call on us too. Psalm 50:15 puts it this way, "and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

God wants us to honor him when he answers our prayers. When he delivers us he expects some sort of appreciation. Isn’t that just good manners? Don’t we at least say thanks to our other friends when they help us? Our Father in heaven isn’t asking us to do something he doesn’t do. God certainly honors those who participate in a friendship relationship with him. Our scripture reinforces this principle.

Can you imagine that? God honoring us? That’s precisely what he says he will do for those who make him their dwelling. The Hebrew word for "honor" literally means "to make heavy."

Here’s what happens. We go to God with a heavy load of burdens and we leave with a heavy load of blessings. That’s how God honors us. He doesn’t stop at delivering us from our difficulties. He goes on to make us heavy with blessings.

Why wouldn’t we want to honor him in return? Psalm 91 is not just a song of confidence that God will provide a place for us to get away from it all. It is also a song of thanksgiving and adoration.