Psalm 28: More Mercy

​To you, O Lord, I call; 
my rock, be not deaf to me, 
       lest, if you be silent to me, 
I become like those who go down to the pit. 
2    Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, 
when I cry to you for help, 
       when I lift up my hands 
toward your most holy sanctuary. 
3    Do not drag me off with the wicked, 
with the workers of evil, 
       who speak peace with their neighbors 
while evil is in their hearts. 
4    Give to them according to their work 
and according to the evil of their deeds; 
       give to them according to the work of their hands; 
render them their due reward. 
5    Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands, 
       he will tear them down and build them up no more. 
6    Blessed be the Lord! 
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. 
7    The Lord is my strength and my shield; 
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; 
       my heart exults, 
and with my song I give thanks to him. 
8    The Lord is the strength of his people; 
he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 
9    Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. 
 
Meditation
God’s grace compels God’s people to cry out to God for mercy. Lifting up our holy hands in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8), the Christian casts their cares onto the Lord. Prayers for mercy mold believers through times of trials and troubles, in the wilderness and among the wicked.
 
David’s plea to God for mercy (1-2) includes petition for justice (3-4), predictions for those who ignore the works of the Lord (5), praise (6-7), and prayers for the nation (8-9). As children cry out to parents when they are scared, hurt, hungry, overwhelmed, or in need; crying out to God for mercy is to reach hands of faith from our hearts to our Father in heaven, characterized with:

- Crying to the LORD for HELP (2).
- Lifting your HANDS in surrender, holding nothing but HOPE in HIM (2).
- Turning your HEARTS to the sanctuary of the Lord (2).
 
When surrounded by struggle the grace of God gives faith to cry to the Lord for mercy. Rains fall on the righteous and the wicked but those who cry to the Lord for mercy will not be washed away in the flood. We will dance in the storm because those who cry for mercy experience God as our:
 
- SHEILD and STRENGTH (7),
- SONG of SALVATION (7),
- SANCTUARY of SAFETY (8)
- SOVEREIGN SHEPHERD (9).
 
The invitation is for all the children of God- Respond to God’s grace by reaching from your heart with a voice of faith. Cry out for mercy! Jesus will hear and respond (6).
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from David’s prayer for mercy?
 
-Why is it difficult to call out to God for mercy? Where else to you look for help during hard times and difficult days?
 
-Whim aspects of God described in 7-9 are most inviting to you? Where do you see Jesus embodying these characteristics, and how does this invite you deeper into trusting Him- crying out to Him for mercy?
 
Key Verse
2    Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.