Post by Woody Williams on Jan 21, 2006 9:50:38 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Psalm 86:1-7
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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.
(6)Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
(7)In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.
Devotional
----------
Notice the flow of this psalm. The words of the psalmist alternate
between affirming trust in God and pleading with God. That is the
human dilemma - tension between faith and doubt. Both of these
elements are a part of our relationship to God. Notice this
especially in verses 6 and 7. Faith is a leap of trust based on
confidence in God's love for us. However, our faith does not control
God, but is willing to receive what God gives, trusting that God
knows best. We know God will answer. How and when God answers is
beyond our control. Nevertheless, we trust in God in all matters.
Prayer[/b
-----------------
Gracious God, lead me by your Spirit through the tension of faith and
doubt to a path of acceptance. Amen
----------
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.
(6)Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
(7)In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.
Devotional
----------
Notice the flow of this psalm. The words of the psalmist alternate
between affirming trust in God and pleading with God. That is the
human dilemma - tension between faith and doubt. Both of these
elements are a part of our relationship to God. Notice this
especially in verses 6 and 7. Faith is a leap of trust based on
confidence in God's love for us. However, our faith does not control
God, but is willing to receive what God gives, trusting that God
knows best. We know God will answer. How and when God answers is
beyond our control. Nevertheless, we trust in God in all matters.
Prayer[/b
-----------------
Gracious God, lead me by your Spirit through the tension of faith and
doubt to a path of acceptance. Amen