Psalm 86:1. Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Well here we are friends at one o’clock on a beautiful though somewhat cloudy spring -like Friday afternoon. I’ve just returned from the big city of Toronto, with a clean bill of health from the medics, but while everybody is concerned with shouting TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the week end’s here at last!’ I’m shouting ‘Thank God that I got into Toronto and back safely!’
Yes, because going into that city nowadays is just a nightmare, with construction of streets and buildings everywhere, making the rutty roadways even busier and narrower than normal. It took me close to ten minutes to get through one traffic light right beside the hospital because one of the lanes was closed for some kind of work. But there’s nothing to do but grin and bear it. Now I don’t have to worry about going into the city for another couple of weeks. That ought to give me enough time to catch my breath and recover my sanity. (smile)
Oh by the way, I did have to use my cane, because the ole hip was still bothering me, but not as badly. Just hope it settles down completely by tomorrow. Enough of my woes though, let’s see what the Lord wants us to talk about today. And I hope to make it short and sweet. Hn! That’s all I have to say re that statement! (smile)
But on a serious note, while skimming through the Good Library I came upon Psalm 86, titled, ‘God’s Readiness to Forgive,’ and thought it a very good piece of scripture to peruse today. By the way, for our information, the scholars say it’s one of the five palms called prayers. The others are Psalms 17, 90, 102, 142. So, in the words of Bruh David, let’s pray: ‘Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.’ (Ps. 86:1)
And most of us can identify with those opening words, for in these tough economic times, many of us are poor and needy in material things, while many of us are also poor and needy in spiritual things. Some of us are even at a point where we’re continually bemoaning our situations through these words from Ps. 42. ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down , O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? (Ps. 42:5a) Now those are always good questions, but the correct answer is always the rest of that verse: ‘hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps. 42:5b)
Yes friends, the presence of our God is ever around us, even in our worst circumstances. But until we understand that, we’ll never get any real relief or peace from our tumultuous situations. Bruh David knew of the Lord’s continuous presence, that’s why he never hesitated to call on Him, like in Psalm 86. Thus he continues: ‘Preserve my soul (life); for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily (all day long). Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.’ ( Ps. 86:2-10)
Ah mih people, Bruh David certainly laid it on thick, with the things usually associated with prayer; petition, adoration, and thanksgiving. But all of it is indisputable truth. Our God is great; as witnessed by His omnipotence, omniscience and omni-presence, and all the miraculous deeds He’s done down through the ages. He’s also LOVING, merciful, compassionate and forgiving, as shown by the sending of His Son Jesus to die and atone for our abominable sins, while we were yet sinners. And He even forgives us now, if we sincerely repent of current misdeeds.
Which other supposed god would even have contemplated such a self-sacrifice eh? None whatsoever! All I can therefore say friends, is that if you are in trouble, the ONLY One to call on is Almighty God, through the auspices of His Holy Spirit and His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. And as I keep saying, Bruh Davi knew on which side his bread was buttered, that’s why he stuck like white on rice to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and if we’re wise, we’ll do the same thing, for He’s our Creator, Controller, the Giver of our life’s breath and the salvation of our souls.
So, since our world is badly troubled in these current times, let’s do like Bruh David and go to the Lord in prayer, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine help for our many problems. As one voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land.
We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let it be known that the first step in receiving divine help is to actually show our trusting faith by being the faithful believers we talk about in our prayer. Much LOVE!
…when the world discourages us…don’t fear…go to God in prayer…
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