Selwyn has chosen Psalm 86 for reading and meditation – it’s a wonderful Psalm – as you can see (New Living Translation):
“Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.
O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them. But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.”
Did you notice the type of relationship David had with God? One, based on devotion, service and trust that resulted in constant prayer – full of praise, and honor for his God. David sought a pure heart and asked God to teach him the right way to give God glory.
Yet, we all know that David’s life did not always reflect his full commitment to this relationship - however, he knew that our God is a ‘God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.’
It is this truth that we can hold onto – nothing we do, can separate us from God’s love – He will always be faithful. Yet, we are often unfaithful – we are an adulterous generation – we don’t live our lives according to the covenant we have with God. The good news is that Jesus, by His death on the cross, has restored our relationship with God.
Consequently, we know that God will comfort us during our times of distress - David constantly called to God for help – and he knew that God would listen compassionatelyto his prayers – and respond, in His perfect way. I agree with Selwyn when he writes: “Sooner or later every one of us needs comfort. It does not matter how strong we may be, how composed and free from sentimentality, the time will come when we need to feel God’s solace. … I can tell you from a lifetime of facing trials, including bereavement, that the only sure comfort when all the world has gone grey is the comfort of God.”
The prayer for today is also worth including here: “O Father, how reliable is Your comfort? There are a few things in life I can depend on but I can depend on this. May the truth of it grip my soul and strengthen it every hour of today and every day. In Christ’s name I ask it. Amen.”
When the world goes grey
Selwyn has chosen Psalm 86 for reading and meditation – it’s a wonderful Psalm – as you can see (New Living Translation):
“Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.
O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them. But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.”
Did you notice the type of relationship David had with God? One, based on devotion, service and trust that resulted in constant prayer – full of praise, and honor for his God. David sought a pure heart and asked God to teach him the right way to give God glory.
Yet, we all know that David’s life did not always reflect his full commitment to this relationship - however, he knew that our God is a ‘God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.’
It is this truth that we can hold onto – nothing we do, can separate us from God’s love – He will always be faithful. Yet, we are often unfaithful – we are an adulterous generation – we don’t live our lives according to the covenant we have with God. The good news is that Jesus, by His death on the cross, has restored our relationship with God.
Consequently, we know that God will comfort us during our times of distress - David constantly called to God for help – and he knew that God would listen compassionatelyto his prayers – and respond, in His perfect way. I agree with Selwyn when he writes: “Sooner or later every one of us needs comfort. It does not matter how strong we may be, how composed and free from sentimentality, the time will come when we need to feel God’s solace. … I can tell you from a lifetime of facing trials, including bereavement, that the only sure comfort when all the world has gone grey is the comfort of God.”
The prayer for today is also worth including here: “O Father, how reliable is Your comfort? There are a few things in life I can depend on but I can depend on this. May the truth of it grip my soul and strengthen it every hour of today and every day. In Christ’s name I ask it. Amen.”