Thoughts for the Day

A Prayer of David.

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me....

Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name for ever.
For great is your steadfast love towards me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The crowd of people stood in front of the gates, with banners and flags held high. There was a narrow gap to allow traffic to enter the site. Placards made clear their protest, some saying "Unite, Fight & Win", others "Support pension fairness" and "We are humans not slaves!" A number of the placards said "Beep if you support us!" and many of the cars passing did so.

This picture is fairly well known to many in the western world, when workers want more pay or better conditions, and Psalm 86, a psalm of David, reminds me a little of this. In his desperation David makes demands of God. He says:

• Listen to me.
• Answer me.
• Preserve my life.
• Save your servant.
• Be gracious to me.
• Teach me your way.

David then reminds God that he is devoted to Him, and in return offers to give thanks to God with his whole heart, and glorify God's name for ever.

As Christians we do not need to make demands of God, but we should thank Him for all His blessings. We can simply turn to Him at any time as to a loving parent, knowing He is already listening because as Jesus taught us we are His beloved children.

Father-God,
we turn to You this day to thank You
for all your gifts to us,
and to ask for Your help.
You already know our need,
and what is best for us,
but we confess that we have frequently
'tried to go it alone'..
Your Son, our Lord Jesus, has taught us
to ask for what we need in His name
knowing that as our Heavenly Father
You are ready to assist.
May we claim this promise today!
Amen.