Appealing to God's Vanity

But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem – and now is the time to pity her, now is the time you promised to help. For your people love every stone in her walls and cherish even the dust in her streets. Psalm 102: 12-14 NLT

Here the psalmist begins to appeal to God's vanity. It is like he is saying: “Hey, God. You are going to be ruling from your throne forever and ever. For eternity, you know? Your name will be well known for generation after generation. So, we know you are going to get up and have mercy on your city of Jerusalem. I mean, look at her – pity the state she is in right now! Remember, God, you promised to help. And see, your people love everything about your holy city – right down to the individual stones on the walls and even to the dust of the streets.”

The psalmist wants God to understand the difference between God's almighty sovereignty and the people who live in their holy city. The people are to be pitied while God is to be worshipped and appealed to. The psalmist believes that God will answer the prayers and have mercy on the entire city. God will be around forever. However, the people won't be. They need this city in order to give God the glory. They cannot stand without God's help.

If you had to appeal to God's mercy and vanity, what would you say?

Where should God have pity on the situations in your own life?

What are some of the smallest things that you love about where you worship God?

But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. You will arise and have mercy. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims