Bow down Your ear, O Lord, answer me; for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am faithful; You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You! (Psalm 86:1-2)
It is interesting that this psalm of David is inserted into the midst of psalms written by the sons of Korah. In fact, this is the only composition in the Third Book of the Psalms specifically ascribed to David. Perhaps it is to underscore the theme of redemption related in the previous psalm, because as we see, David appeals to heaven when he finds himself in a vulnerable and precarious situation. Not only does he appeal to God to hear his prayer but that He would answer. In other words, it is for man to ask God to listen; it is for God to decide if and when to answer. In this psalm David felt an urgent need to petition God for an immediate answer because he was poor and in great need.
There are many passages in Scripture that describe God’s compassion for the poor and destitute and His willingness to help them in their plight. In other psalms it is written, “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap” (Psalm 113:7); “The Lord will maintain the cause of the needy, and execute justice for the poor” (Psalm 140:12). Knowing this, David petitions the Most High to come to his aid; a request that David prayed many times in the years he was forced to evade those who sought his death.
But it should be noted that it wasn’t just his need that convinced David that God would come to his assistance, it was also because he had striven to serve God faithfully. Moreover, he had placed his trust in God and was convinced that the Lord would not leave him to destruction. He knew that God repays a man measure for measure; in other words, a just God would not reward one’s devotion with devastation. Though he may face crisis and be pressed by those who hate him, in the end God’s justice would prevail and those who love Him would be preserved.
If it was true for David then it is true for us; we serve the same God that David served. Because He never changes, His faithfulness to those who serve Him and trust in Him is certain — it will never fail. As I said, it is for us to pray and ask God to listen; it is for God to decide when and how but know this — God will preserve the soul of those who love Him and will deliver them from their adversaries. Count on it.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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