God’s Guiding Word: Spiritual Renewal

May 5

Introduction

Psalm 86: Today’s psalm is an individual lament expressing a plea for God’s help. It includes a hymn of praise (verses 8–13) and concludes with an affirmation of God’s love and faithfulness.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 86:15

But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful.

Reading

86 Listen to me, LORD, and answer me,
    for I am helpless and weak.
² Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
    save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

³ You are my God, so be merciful to me;
    I pray to you all day long.
⁴ Make your servant glad, O Lord,
    because my prayers go up to you.
⁵ You are good to us and forgiving,
    full of constant love for all who pray to you.

⁶ Listen, LORD, to my prayer;
    hear my cries for help.
⁷ I call to you in times of trouble,
    because you answer my prayers.

⁸ There is no god like you, O Lord,
    not one has done what you have done.
⁹ All the nations that you have created
    will come and bow down to you;
    they will praise your greatness.
¹⁰ You are mighty and do wonderful things;
    you alone are God.

¹¹ Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do,
    and I will obey you faithfully;
    teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
¹² I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God;
    I will proclaim your greatness forever.
¹³ How great is your constant love for me!
    You have saved me from the grave itself.
¹⁴ Proud people are coming against me, O God;
    a cruel gang is trying to kill me—
    people who pay no attention to you.
¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God,
    always patient, always kind and faithful.
¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    strengthen me and save me,
    because I serve you just as my mother did.
¹⁷ Show me proof of your goodness, LORD;
    those who hate me will be ashamed
    when they see that you have given me comfort and help.

Reflect

How does the psalm writer begin this prayer? What verses express trust in God? Does the writer make any promises to God? How do you express your devotion to God? Is there anything for which you need to ask God’s help today?

Pray

God of comfort and help, you are merciful and loving, always kind and faithful. Turn to me and hear my prayer for ____________________. Teach me, Lord God, what you want me to do; teach me to obey you faithfully and to serve you with complete devotion. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 87: A psalm in praise of Jerusalem.