Psalm 86

Read Psalm 86

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” David cried out to God in prayer. He knew the greatness of the Almighty and was aware of his own poverty. Only the Lord could preserve his life.

David called out to God as a godly man should. “Save your servant, who trusts in You—You are my God.” He also knew that he needed the Lord's mercy. “Be gracious to me, O Lord.”

As he lifted up his soul to God in his time of need, he looked for the Lord to give him joy as well as deliverance from his enemies. He spoke about the character of Almighty God—about God's own goodness, mercy, and steadfast love. He expected that God would hear him and answer him.

David did not believe that all the gods of the nations were the same. “There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.” He believed that all the nations of the earth would one day worship the God of Israel.

David prayed to God about the Lord's greatness and not just about his own troubles. He also pledged his own obedience to God and asked for help from on high, “that I may walk in Your truth.” He was not content to be a double-minded man who gave halfhearted devotion to the Lord. “Unite my heart to fear Your name.” Even as he composed his prayer, he knew that God was hearing him and lifting him out of his sorrow.

“O God, insolent men have risen up against me.” As he closed his prayer, David reminded the Lord about the ruthless people who wanted to kill him. Yet even as he continued to speak to the Lord his words of petition, he was aware that God had already helped him and comforted him.

Anyone who would serve the Lord in any place and time needed to pray to God as David prayed. This was certainly the custom of David's great descendant, Jesus. Even though He was fully God, He cried out to His Father with earnest petition. He prayed with the good conscience of One who knew His Father's love.

When His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus invited them to begin with the words, “Our Father.” He invited them into His own perfect relationship with the Almighty. Through His death and resurrection for us, we boldly lift up our voices to the Lord. As we do so, God will surely help us and comfort us in our distress.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Glorious God, we come to You in great need. Day by day You move us along in a most holy faith. We call upon You and ask for Your grace. You are the only true God. Your works are amazing. Teach us Your way. Unite us together in Christ. There is danger in this age. It comes so close to us. Help us, O Lord, for You know all things, and have promised to be our God.