Psalm 86 – Great is God’s Steadfast Love
(by Richard Tio)
This prayer of David keeps believers on the path to prayer, a period of reflecting on the character of God and express trust in Him, despite the dangers we may face. We can see David’s posture of prayer to God in the following:
Expect God’s favour and answers
David calls to God to answer him. As he tries to follow God in his life, he asked for God to guard and protect him, to be merciful to him, and grant joy (verses 2-4).
He recognises God to be forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to Him (verse 5).
When in distress, David calls to God expectantly, and entrusts himself that God will answer (verse 7).
Extol God
There is none like God, no deeds can compare with the true God of the Bible. The nations that were formed by God will come to worship and glorify Him.
He is great and executes marvellous deeds (verses 8-10).
He is worthy to be praised for His glorious Name (verse 12) and great love (verse 13).
Entreat God’s saving power despite danger
David recognises there are real dangers of arrogant enemies who disregard God and seek to destroy him (verse 14).
Despite this danger, he looks to God for compassion, grace, love, faithfulness, mercy, strength and saving work (verses 15-16).
Exude confident trust in God
David prayed to God for direction to His ways, so he can depend on His faithfulness (verse 11a).
He asked for single-minded and undivided heart to fear and obey God (verse 11b).
He asked for an encouraging sign that God is going to answer, show His goodness, and shame his enemies (verse 17).
The God who helped and delivered David is the same God who sees the challenges we face in our lives today. We have access to His presence through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. May we expect God’s favour and answers, extol Him, entreat His saving power and exude confident trust in Him.
Let’s Read Psalm 86
A prayer of David.
1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.
5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
ruthless people are trying to kill me—
they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Let’s Pray
Lord God Almighty, what a wonderful God You are! Thank You for inspiring David to record this Psalm. In the midst of taunts from his enemies, and long wait for redemption, David continued to call on You, and asked for a sign of Your goodness. When we receive Your help, remind us to thank You and tell others of Your character and salvation. In Jesus’ wonderful and powerful Name, Amen!
This devotional was kindly contributed by Dr. Chow Li Sze and her channel Heavenly Devotion. You may find the channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/HeavenlyDevotion/videos
About the Heavenly Devotion channel
The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)
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