Sunday Psalm 86 - Devoted Trust In Times Of Trouble

The author of Psalm 86 was David.  He shares with us that you can have devoted trust in the Lord in times of deep trouble. 

Psalm 86:7 - "In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me"

Sometimes our trouble or pain is so great that all we can do is cry out to God.  And often when there is no relief in sight, all we can do is acknowledge the greatness of God and wait for better days ahead.  The conviction that God answers prayer will sustain us in such difficult times.

Psalm 86:8-10 - "Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9-All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10-For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God"

"There is none like you O Lord"  The God of the Bible is unique!  He is alive and able to do mighty deeds for those who love him.  All human-created deities are powerless because they are merely inventions of the mind, not living beings.  The Lord alone is "worthy ... to receive glory and honor and power" (Revelation 4:11).  Although people believe in many gods, you need never fear that God is only one among many or that you may be worshiping the wrong God.  The Lord alone is God.

Psalm 86:17 - "Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me"

It is right to pray for a sign of God's goodness.  As David found, it may be just what we need.  But let us not overlook the signs he has already given: the support of family and friends, the fellowship of other Christians, the light of each new day.  And we can be confident that he knows our situation no matter how desperate it becomes, and he cares.

Psalm 86 / New International Version

¹ Hear O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
² Guard my life, for I am devoted to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; save your servant
   who trusts in you.
³ Have mercy on me, O Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
⁴ Bring joy to your servant,
    for to you, O Lord,
    I lift up my soul.

⁵ You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
⁶ Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
⁷ In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
    for you will answer me.

⁸ Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
⁹ All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, O 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, O Lord,
    and I will walk in your truth;

    give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
¹² I will praise you, O 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 of the grave.

¹⁴ The arrogant are attacking me, O God; 
    a band of ruthless men seeks my life —
    men without regard for you.
¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    grant your strength to your servant;
    and save the son of your maidservant.
¹⁷ Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.