Psalm 86
The Word of God gives instruction. More than that, it gives answers for every condition in which we find ourselves. The Psalms share life experiences we can identify with. It’s as if David also describes us. He’s down to our level, down to where we live. Situations came suddenly. David prayed for a token for good from God. This was more than a sign. He didn’t name what he wanted the token to be. There was no “if you will” then “I will.” He didn’t know what or if God would give the token, but David left it all up to the Lord.
Sometimes we boast about how calm we are when things happen. We might as well quit the front. We all get scared. What we find ourselves doing is asking for a token for good. Will it work out? Is the solution coming? God understands our need for the token. Verse 17 says “Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen [helped] me, and comforted me.” God helped and comforted him.
Threats were not unusual for David. He had enemies, some of which we don’t even know. We have enemies as well; an enemy’s stare cuts to the heart, but not all enemies have a face. We may not have done anything, yet a visit to the doctor might tell us we have the enemy of sickness. Some face depression. Some may be told their job is gone. We have the threat of the flu. The economy is going down; some may lose all their money. It doesn’t matter what the enemy is, we all will face one some time or another. Even the prophet Elijah sat under a juniper tree and wanted to die. It happens to all of us. On top of all this, our greatest enemy, the devil, rubs his ugly face even more into our life.
In verse 14 we see the heart of David’s problem. “O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.” One thing after another came to him, and they do to us as well. We wonder why. We may ask why. We may ask why God isn’t in control of the enemy. Remember the enemy has no emotion; it has no regard for God. We can’t control it. No matter what the enemy does let’s not lose our regard for God. Our God is God. Our enemy is not God. Instead our God is the God of the enemy.
Verse 5 says “for thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” The enemy gets “badder;” God gets “gooder.” He is ready to forgive our doubt and panic. He’s abundant in mercy to those who call upon his name. God comes through. Verse 7 says “In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.” Devil, read it and weep. Sickness, read it and weep. Trouble, read it and weep. Even in our worst day, God will answer. Verse 10 says “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.” God can be trusted! He is ALWAYS greater than the enemy. He’s always bigger, always works right, and above and beyond. He alone is God. Once we recognize who is God, things will get better.
David asked for a token. He was also willing to give God one. We must be willing to do the same. Verse 11 says “teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” We must give God our heart regardless of what he does or chooses to do. David said “teach me” and then promised to “walk in thy truth.” Are you willing? Will you take the token of the will of God?
David asked God to unite his heart. He wanted to gather all his enemies up, unite them and not be afraid of them. With the uniting of his heart he would fear God. Are you afraid of the sickness, the aches, and the despondency? We all get in this shape sometimes. They are big. Sometimes they scare us to death. David did his best to gather them and fear God, not his adversary.
Verses 16 and 17 say “O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast [helped] me, and comforted me.” Turn to the Lord. Ask for his strength. Acknowledge God. The enemies will get smaller and smaller.
Our strength is nothing. Our arrogance is nothing. Our money is nothing. The confidence goes when the money and the job go. The confidence goes when the spouse leaves or the kids are in trouble. Ask for a “token for good” so the adversary will not get the best of you. The best thing we can do is come ask for that token. God will show us that whatever battle we face as a Christian already has a deliverer. The worst enemy is taken care of. David said “for great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.” If we can trust God with that, then our everyday problems, our enemies, can surely be taken care of. God can show us a token.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 