Psalm 86 1-13

Today’s Daily Cross is a devotion from Dwight, a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A prayer of David.

¹ Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
    answer me, for I need your help.
² Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
    Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
    You are my God.
³ Be merciful to me, O Lord,
    for I am calling on you constantly.
⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord,
    for I give myself to you.
⁵ O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
    so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
    hear my urgent cry.
⁷ I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
    and you will answer me.

⁸ No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
    None can do what you do!
⁹ All the nations you made
    will come and bow before you, Lord;
    they will praise your holy name.
¹⁰ For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
    You alone are God.

¹¹ 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.
¹² With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
    I will give glory to your name forever,
¹³ for your love for me is very great.
    You have rescued me from the depths of death.

There is so much in the above passage that applies to us in our addictions. V1 reminds us that we need his help and v2 lets us know that we need to put our trust in him and that we stay devoted to him. We also need his mercy and grace as we deal with temptations and failures daily. V5 tells us that he is ready to forgive us. Let us not just pass over that one. He is ready to forgive, but we must also be willing to ask for and accept that forgiveness. V6 is humorous, asking God to “listen closely.” That was David’s human side, knowing that we humans do not always listen and pay attention. It is a comfort to know that God never has to be reminded to listen to us and that he hears the cries of our hearts. V11-13 asks Him to teach us his ways and then puts it back on us to live according to His truth and ways. V13 is what recovery is all about being rescued from the depths of death. We are all dead in our sins and lost without Jesus to rescue us. Make a commitment today to surrender your will and life to God. I read this Psalm often as a reminder of what God does for us but also what our responsibility is. He will not force anything on us; our hearts have to be open and willing to receive Him.

Blessings to all.

Becomelects Ministry