Day 514: Psalm 86- Secure In God's Sovereign Grace

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
    save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
    for you answer me.
 
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come
    and worship before you, O Lord,
    and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
 
14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
    a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
    and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
    give your strength to your servant,
    and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
    because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
 
 
Meditation
Security is one of the most basic needs of the human heart. We live in the most secure period of history and yet there is a pandemic of insecurity and fear. God invites you to find security in His sovereign grace by worshipping through today’s Psalm.
 
The supplication for security is based both in the reality of our deep need and God’s unchanging character (1-7). We are invited to acknowledge our need (1), pray for grace (3, 6), and orient the eyes of our heart to the One who is abounding in steadfast love. We are secure to cry out to God no matter where we find ourselves, knowing God will hear.
 
God’s sovereignty is our only hope for true security (8-13). THE LORD, the covenant name of God, is mentioned seven times in this chapter. The LORD alone is the ruler and master. He rules over other gods (8), all nations (9), humanity (10), and history (11). We find security in God’s sovereignty, giving thanks and praising His name- great is His steadfast love towards those who trust in the Lord (13)!
 
Many will scorn when our security is in the LORD (14). But God is merciful and gracious (15) and will provide for His servants (16). God will hear our cry and help us (17). We are secure in God’s sovereign grace!
 
God promises forgiveness and invites all to turn and trust His steadfast love! Oh Lord, hear our prayers and listen to our pleas for grace!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Where do you look for security?
 
-God is sovereign, in control of everything. God’s grace invites you to trust Him, to look to Him for security. In the areas where you need to have security, cry out to God and ask for help, hoping in Him alone for security. Will you trust Him?
 
-Jesus lost security so in Him we can always be secure in God’s sovereign grace. Great is god’s steadfast love for you in Christ! Take time to celebrate the security you have in Christ alone.
 
Key Verse
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.