THE EIGHTY-SIXTH PSALM

Dearly Beloved, THE EIGHTY-SIXTH PSALM “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.... Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy” (Psalm 86:1, 6 NIV). Psalm 86 was supposedly written by King David, though its placement among the psalms ascribed to “the Sons of Korah” made some people to doubt its Davidic authorship. However, its contents and layout resemble most of the psalms that are ascribed to David without any controversy. The writer of this psalm was undoubtedly in a danger, and he called on God to deliver him from his enemies. The psalmist considered himself as somebody who is “poor and needy,” therefore, he prayed that God should hear and answer his prayers (verse 1). There are at least five different kinds of prayers in this psalm: One, prayer of protection: because the psalmist was being attacked by people he regarded as “the arrogant” and “a band of ruthless men” in verse 14, his first prayer point was that God should guard his life (verse 2). He could attest to the fact that he was devoted to and trust in God, hence, this prayer. Two, prayer for mercy: thrice in this psalm, the psalmist cried out to God for mercy (verses 3, 6, 16). He knew that only God could grant him mercy. Three, prayer of forgiveness: the psalmist regarded God as a forgiving God who is good and abounding in love. By implication, he was asking God to forgive him as he was crying to Him. Four, prayer of worship: in spite of his predicament, the psalmist worshipped God for who He is (verses 8-10). Five, prayer of praises: closely related to the previous prayer is this. The psalmist praised God for what He is doing (verses 10, 12, 13). His predicament did not blindfold him to who God is and what His had done in his life. There are other prayers for joy (verse 4), instruction (verse 11), and the goodness of God (verse 17) also in this psalm. The eighty-sixth psalm is indeed worthy of meditation. What is your predicament presently? Are you also ready to cry to God? He has promised, “...call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15 NIV). Cry unto Him, and He is ready to answer you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me not stop crying unto You till you answer me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we do not understand the trials we are going through, we can recount how God has worked in history. - Poh Fang Chia ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to continue to rely on You no matter my situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them" (Matthew 6:31-32 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The fact that God knows where you are and that He is very much aware of the difficult situation you are in provides the confidence and strength needed to live for His glory. So be encouraged. Remember God’s words of comfort. Help is on the way! - Joe Stowell ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me not to worry but rely on You no matter my situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When God’s Word is hidden in our heart, His ways will become our ways. - Lawrence Darmani ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to hide Your word in my heart so as to always walk in Your ways.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God" (James 4:4b AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You don't have to be like the world to have an impact on the world. You don't have to be like the crowd to change the crowd. You don't have to lower yourself down to their level to lift them up to your level. Holiness doesn't seek to be odd. Holiness seeks to be like God. - Diann L. White ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me not to lower my standard to have impact on the world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When you want to make sense out of God's sense, it may appear nonsense to you. - John Ojewole ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, do not let me make any unnecessary sense out of Your sense, but let me accept You as who You are to me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day" (Deuteronomy 8:10-11 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It shall be well with you! God will satisfy you with many good things. His good promise will surely come to pass in your life. However, will you not forget God when you are satisfied with the desires of your heart? Will you still remember to serve Him with what He has blessed you with? - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your wellbeing will not make you to forget your God.