The second part of Psalm 86 is full of verses where David exalts God.
As much as God wants us to come to him with our despair, worries & sadness, he also wants us to come to him with reverence. He is a holy God, worthy of our praise and adoration.
David says to the Lord:
v. 8 “There is none like you…O Lord…”
v. 10 “For you are great and do wondrous things…”
v. 11 “…unite my heart to fear your name.”
v. 13 “For great is your steadfast love toward me…”
David knew the importance of praising the Lord. He knew that a relationship with the Lord is not a one-way street. God wants a relationship with us, and to have that requires mutuality. We cannot simply keep asking God for His favor, rescue and intervention in our lives without recognizing who He is and what He has done for us. He loves us and would give us anything – and indeed He has! – and for that we should desire to exalt His name in humble gratitude.
Reflection Questions:
Do you include praise to God in your prayers? If you don’t do that regularly, let me encourage you to do so. He is worthy!
Prayer:
God, thank you for all you have done and will do for us. You are our creator, provider, hope and in Jesus, our salvation. We owe you everything. Help us to remember that and to acknowledge that before you always. We love you. Amen.
Psalm 86 is a desperate prayer of David, in a time of his great distress. He says in verse 7, “in the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.”
I don’t know what you are going through right now. You may be in a season of joy, or a season of despair, like David. You may even be living in some mixture of the two. Let me assure you – God didn’t abandon David, and He hasn’t abandoned you. In our times of joy and in our times of distress, calling upon the name of the Lord is never done in vain. He hears us, and Jesus, at His right hand, intercedes for us, even pleads for us. What a beautiful picture that is!
David calls on God, desperately so, throughout this psalm:
v. 1 “Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”
v . 2 “…save your servant, who trusts in you–you are my God.”
v. 6 “Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.”
And, in verse 3 David says “…for to you do I cry all the day.” As a believer, I know how important setting aside intentional prayer time is. I encourage you to make it a habit however you can – mark it on your calendar, set a reminder…and do so until it becomes second nature.
Additionally, I also know how important constant prayer is. God is our Father (“…and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:18) and Jesus is our Friend (“…but I have called you friends…” John 15:15). We should, also as habit, be in constant communication with them, from the time we open our eyes in the morning to the time we close them at night – and every time in between. We can call on God any time, for any reason. It should be natural, as talking to our spouse, our children, or our friends. The God of the universe is personal, Jesus is ALIVE, and they want to hear from you.
Reflection Questions:
What season are you at in your life right now? What is troubling you? What do you, or should you, cry out to God about these days?
Do you set aside intentional time for daily prayer? Do you pray throughout the day? Do you do both?
Prayer:
God, thank you for being there for us, listening to us, whenever we call upon you. Thank you for the saving grace and gift of Jesus, who pleads on our behalf, and knows our suffering. Help us to seek you out in our joy and in our sorrow, and help us to lean on you and speak with you about every aspect of our lives, because there is nothing you do not know and nothing you do not care about. We ask for your ear, and we ask for you to speak to us, too. Amen.
Scripture: “So now, Yahweh our God, save us, please, from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, you alone, are God.” — 2 Kings 19:19 (LEB) “Teach me, O Yahweh, your way, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” — Psalm 86:11 (LEB) “Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” — Luke 21:28 (LEB)
In 2 Kings 19, King Hezekiah faces a seemingly insurmountable threat from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. Instead of succumbing to fear or relying on his own strength, Hezekiah turns to God in prayer, seeking divine intervention and deliverance. This theme of seeking God in times of distress is echoed in Psalm 86 and Luke 21, offering us a comprehensive understanding of faith, humility, and hope.
When confronted with Sennacherib’s threats, Hezekiah’s first response is to seek God. He spreads the threatening letter before God in the temple and prays for deliverance, not only for the sake of Judah but also for God’s glory to be known among all nations. Hezekiah’s prayer exemplifies humble dependence on God and a desire for His name to be exalted.
Psalm 86 reflects a similar heart of dependence and trust in God. David’s prayer, asking God to teach him His way and unite his heart to fear God’s name, mirrors Hezekiah’s desire for God’s guidance and intervention. Both prayers highlight a deep reliance on God’s wisdom and sovereignty in navigating life’s challenges.
In Luke 21, Jesus speaks about the end times and encourages His followers to stand firm and look up, for their redemption is near. This message of hope and anticipation ties into Hezekiah’s situation, where trust in God’s deliverance leads to ultimate salvation. It reminds us that, no matter how dire our circumstances, God’s redemption and intervention are always near.
Hezekiah’s immediate response to crisis is to turn to God in prayer. This act of faith underscores the importance of seeking God first in our times of need, trusting in His power and sovereignty. By spreading out the letter before God, Hezekiah shows his complete dependence on God. Similarly, Psalm 86 calls us to seek God’s guidance and unite our hearts to fear His name. Jesus’ words in Luke 21 encourage us to stand firm and look up, for our redemption is near. Hezekiah’s trust in God’s deliverance and the anticipation of God’s intervention are powerful reminders of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty.
-Jeff Ransom
Reflection Questions:
When faced with a crisis, what is your first response? How can you make seeking God in prayer your immediate reaction?
In what areas of your life do you need to humble yourself and depend more fully on God’s strength rather than your own?
How can you live in a way that brings glory to God, showing others that He alone is sovereign and that His redemption is near?
This week, reflect on these questions and consider how you can seek God more earnestly in your times of need. Trust in His power and sovereignty, and live in a way that brings glory to His name.
Seek Grow Love 