Verses 1-7a
-
In prayer, God is always to be approached with joy and thankfulness. Don't be too solemn in your prayer life. Be reverent and joyful about the privilege that it is know God.
-
He is worthy of your joy! Think of how awesome He is to have created and to rule over all the earth and the sea!
-
Verse 7. And even with the power of His hand over all creation, He cares for you like a His very own sheep in the midst of His hand.
-
Verses 7b-11
-
If you ever stop being thankful, your heart will only be hardened, and you will struggle to listen to God (Romans 1:21). Stay thankful, and joy will help you stay faithful.
-
Also, if you want to stay sensitive to God's voice and at rest with Him, don't be rebellious, and don't give in to sin (Hebrews 3:7-15). The more you sin, the harder your heart will become. But live obediently, and your heart will stay soft with fertile soil. You'll grow in the Word more effectively and even hear the Spirit better (Luke 8:14-15).
-
The Israelites became familiar with seeing God do miracles, but they were not loyal to Him in their hearts. They didn't care to truly know Him and believe Him. They demanded His miracles only to feed their lust, and then complained when they didn't have what they wanted (Psalm 78:18-19, 1 Corinthians 10:9-11). They saw God as a means to get what they wanted, and tried to provoke Him to act for them; and for their wickedness and unbelief many of them were destroyed.
-
Do not think you're right with God because you're “familiar” with Him. Seek to know Him deeply and to truly follow His ways. And learn from Israel's mistakes. Don't complain, and don't tempt God by asking Him for things out of selfish desire (James 4:2-3). Your life is meant to be about doing what God desires, not getting what your flesh desires. Also do not pray out of doubt, thinking, “God, if you'll do this, then I'll believe!” Believe first, and pray because you believe (James 1:6-8)!
-