God’s Joy In His Glory: a sinner’s prayer

O God, my God, comfort me in my unbelief.[1] I am weak and I cry out to you, O God.[2] Father, place me beneath your wings and hold me close.[3] Let your presence be real to me, my Lord.

Father, great are You.[4] You are holy and amazing.[5] Father, You are glorious.[6] I stand dead[7] and fearful.[8] You alone are worthy of glory and honor and power.[9] Your ways confuse me at times. I do not always perceive Your will; for your ways are higher than mine.[10] But this I know—Your will is Your glory.[11] It is Your chief end. There is no greater desire in You than Your own glory, which brings you joy. Your Word proclaims that You have made a new covenant with Your people.[12]

Yes Lord, a covenant of water and Spirit.[13] You cleanse us with water. You sprinkle it over me and I am cleansed by it. All of my filth and idols are removed from me.[14] You reach down into my very soul and remove my heart. It is a heart of stone.[15]

I am unable to love You. I hide from you when I hear Your steps in the garden. I
tremble at Your voice and flee from you, never seeking to find You.[16]

Some how you found me though, as if I were truly hid. You slammed me down and crushed me. You are too great, O God. You tore from my flesh my heart. It was hard and cold. I was amazed and fearful. But You were merciful to me a sinner. Love and compassion You found on me. You gave me a new heart. It was not hard like my last. It was a heart of flesh.[17] Then You put Your Spirit in me.[18]

Your Spirit dwells in my flesh.[19] I am a living sacrifice.[20] Your Spirit enables me to treasure Your Word[21] and I walk in Your statutes.[22] In Your grace, You bless me. I am not worthy, Lord. I remember by evil and I loathe myself.[23] Grateful am I, Father, for my new birth. I have been born into Your family.[24] You drew me to Your Son[25] and He keeps me in His grasp.[26] To You be the glory.

Father, You found love and compassion on me, but it was not for my good. You did not do this for my sake; You did this for Your glory.[27] I could have just as easily been a vessel or Your wrath.[28] You would have been glorified in this. I am so thankful, Lord. I do not understand Your ways. They are far too great.

Awesome is God—Him I trust.

[1] Mark 9:24
[2] Psalm 102:1
[3] Psalm 17:8
[4] Psalm 95:3
[5] Revelation 4:8, Psalm 99:3
[6] Nehemiah 9:5
[7] Revelation 1:17
[8] Psalm 19:9
[9] Revelation 4:11
[10] Isaiah 55:9
[11] Ezekiel 36:22
[12] Jeremiah 31:31
[13] John 3:5
[14] Ezekiel 36:25
[15] Ezekiel 36:26
[16] Genesis 3:8-10, Psalm 53:1-3
[17] Ezekiel 36:26
[18] Ezekiel 36:27
[19] 1 Corinthians 3:16
[20] Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 2:5
[21] Psalm 119:11
[22] Ezekiel 36:27
[23] Ezekiel 36:31
[24] Ephesians 1:5
[25] John 6:44
[26] John 6:37
[27] Ezekiel 36:32-38
[28] Romans 9:22