Psalm 86

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you are inbetween a rock and a hard place? Maybe you are there right now. How does your prayer life look in those situations? This Psalm shows us how we need to pray to God in those tough situations. You see, typically in David's Psalms when he is crying out to God, you can feel the utter distress and difficulty that he is facing. Not this time though. So what is the difference here? Well David instead of focusing on his problems and the situation he is in, focuses on God and His character and nature. You see David begins this Psalm with reasons why God should hear him. They include: him being "poor and needy" (v.1), him being "holy" (v.2), because he continually has trusted God (vv.2-3), he has only sought help from God (v.4) and simply because of His character (vv. 5-6). You see David realised that God's character was merciful and gracious. He knew that God's character causes Him to rescue His children and to carry them through the hard times. David however knows that he doesn't deserve for God to listen to Him. We find that in verse 6 where David says "listen to my plea for grace". David's plea is that God would be gracious enough to look down on a sinner like Him and hear his cry for help. 2 Peter 2:9 says "Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials". God will hear us and deliver us as His children from the trials in our life according to His purpose and will. However, it is not because of us or what we deserve. It is because of His grace. So how are you praying through this tough time in your life? Are you praying to God as though you deserve Him to hear and deliver you? Or are you praying with confidence in God's character knowing that He will deliver by His mercy and grace? May our prayers be in harmony with David's as we face trials and difficulties.