Psalm 86 reminds me of life-long friends. These are the friends that have been with us through thick and thin. These kinds of friendships become very dynamic over time. We find that even after periods of separation, they quickly bring support and strength to new circumstances. We repeatedly rediscover the things that unite us, each time adding more substance to the relationship. This psalm of David describes this kind of relationship with God. God does not change, but He knows our human tendency to try to repeat experiences. His mercies are new every morning to help keep us from going back to the same old places, and stale prayers. God will meet us right where we are today with a fresh joy. The psalm begins, “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy“. There is a sense of desperation in his words and no hesitation in his plea, “Guard my life, for I am devoted to You. You are my God… Have mercy on me“. David has immediate familiarity, “Bring joy to Your servant… I lift up my soul“. Then David repeats a familiar phrase, “You are forgiving and good… abounding in love to all who call to You“. It seems that was a reminder to himself as he adds, “Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble… You will answer me“. He has supreme confidence in God and you can too. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you“. Nothing about you surprises God.
You can almost see the smile on David’s face as he brags about his friend. “There is none like You… All the nations… will… worship before You… they will bring glory to Your Name… You alone are God“. But notice that David never forgets that God is also the Lord and King, “Teach me Your way… I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart… I will glorify Your name forever“. Perhaps David’s greatest strength was that he always returned to God after he messed up. He was never ashamed to ask for help again. After a quick reminiscing, David remembers his desperate situation. “You have delivered me from the depths… The arrogant are attacking me… ruthless men… men without regard for You“. Now with the familiarity of a lifetime of experience, he writes, “You… are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” and he asks, “Have mercy on me… grant Your strength to Your servant“. I’m convinced this is also written for us. I believe David is inviting us to come to know His God personally too.
The psalm ends with an important request, “Give me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame“. The Roman cross was designed to be an instrument of torture, death and shame. The convicted was put on display with his offense written out. Today the cross is hated by some because it is an affront to their world view that there is no God. They see it as a sign of ignorance and superstition. The crucifixion of Christ is one of the most well documented events of world history and His resurrection changed the world. The apostle Paul wrote, “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength… God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). Finally, Jesus told His disciples, “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit fruit that will last” (John 15:15-16). Friend, my God is abounding in love and mercy. I believe God has something new for you today. Will you answer His call?