(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)
(Psalm 86:1-17) Incline Your ear, Lord, and answer me;
For I am afflicted and needy.
2 Protect my soul, for I am godly;
You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.
3 Be gracious to me, Lord,
For I call upon You all day long.
4 Make the soul of Your servant joyful,
For to You, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all who call upon You.
6 Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
And give Your attention to the sound of my pleading!
7 On the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.
8 There is no one like You among the gods, Lord,
Nor are there any works like Yours.
9 All nations whom You have made will come and worship before You, Lord,
And they will glorify Your name.
10 For You are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will give thanks to You, Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forever.
13 For Your graciousness toward me is great,
And You have saved my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 God, arrogant men have risen up against me,
And a gang of violent men have sought my life,
And they have not set You before them.
15 But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
Slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me;
Grant Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
For I am afflicted and needy.
2 Protect my soul, for I am godly;
You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.
3 Be gracious to me, Lord,
For I call upon You all day long.
4 Make the soul of Your servant joyful,
For to You, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all who call upon You.
6 Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
And give Your attention to the sound of my pleading!
7 On the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.
8 There is no one like You among the gods, Lord,
Nor are there any works like Yours.
9 All nations whom You have made will come and worship before You, Lord,
And they will glorify Your name.
10 For You are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will give thanks to You, Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forever.
13 For Your graciousness toward me is great,
And You have saved my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 God, arrogant men have risen up against me,
And a gang of violent men have sought my life,
And they have not set You before them.
15 But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
Slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me;
Grant Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
This psalm does an excellent job at defining what a Christian - a true believer - is. So, who are the godly ones? They are those who know that there is only one God, and He is great and does wonderous deeds. They have humbled themselves, knowing that they are afflicted and in need of a Savior, and that salvation is only through Jesus, the Lord. They have gone to the Lord for forgiveness and have given their soul to Him. They know they can go to Him to pour out their hearts and find comfort.
Christians trust in the Lord. They are those who call upon the Lord and depend on Him for help "all day long" - for everything - always! And they call out to Him "on the day" of their trouble, without waiting. They know that God works and answers their prayers, so they go to Him for His strength and joy. They know to run to the Lord for His guidance because they are confident that He is just and fair.
Christians are those who fear God and put Him first in their lives. They see and know all of His qualities and how they benefit a person, therefore they want to learn from the Lord so they can walk in truth and in unity with Him. They ask God to help them be steadfast servants, being thankful to Him for everything. They go to worship Him and glorify His name.
Christians are those who realize that for all these things, it is the Lord at work in us!
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