trbccoffeebreak

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 86:1-4

Don’t you just love the Psalms? These writings pretty much have it all covered—every emotion, lament, pain…worship and praise for who God is…wisdom and instruction as to how to be in God’s will…and even a bit of “go-get-‘em-God” sentiment (imprecatory Psalms). When we’re wrestling with life (that is, ALL of us, pretty much ALL the time), then diving deep into the Psalms is like cool water for the soul. In fact, the very first Psalm starts off with the exhortation that to stand firm and be wise in the craziness of this wicked world, we must stay in God’s Word!

It’s the Psalms written by David that are really encouraging to me. No matter where David starts (soul-wrenching agony, anger, questioning God…), he tends to end up in the same place: worshipping the Lord for His goodness, graciousness, and glory. That’s why, in the midst of our needs (life-altering mountainous ones or daily knocking ones), Psalm 86 is a wonderful go-to. In summary, the basic flow is:

“Are You listening, Lord? Help me!

I am Yours, and I know I can trust You!

All day I cry to You—I’m so sad…please restore my joy!

I know You’re good, Lord—so kind to Your people.

So, please hear me—I’m in trouble!

I know You’ll answer me. I’m not sure how or when…but it WILL be for Your glory.

You’re God. (I’m not.) Show me Your way in this—that’s all I want! Your will!

You rescued me, and I’m so thankful.

Help me! Be gracious and strengthen me in this.

You’ve been faithful to me before, please do it again. For Your glory.”

Really, it’s the “I believe, help my unbelief” format of Mark 9:23-24, with a similar paradoxical prayer of “I trust You to help me—help me trust You.” And it’s such a glorious structure for our cries to the Lord. So, as you (and I) start to feel that panic of pain, fear, trouble rising to the surface, here are four steps, per Psalm 86, to lift our needs—and our soul—to the Lord.

1. Tell the Lord your specific trouble. Yes, He knows—of course—but He wants to hear your cry. (“Protect me” or “Heal me” or “Rescue me”…)
2. Remember who God is. Rehearse His patience, kindness, grace, and love. Remind yourself that His will is perfect, His timing is perfect, and all things will be for our good—and most importantly, for His glory.
3. Ask Him to change you—to strengthen you, gladden your heart, make you more like Him. To show you reasons to rejoice even in the pain.
4. Remind yourself of the truth of your rescue from darkness and death! You have the hope of heaven. You’ve been redeemed and will be glorified. (This life is a blink in the scheme of eternity…and this world is not our Home.)

“Lord, You are so good, and Your lovingkindness is beyond our comprehension. As I cry out to You (in anger, pain, fear), hear me, strengthen me, and remind me that You are God—and You’ve got this.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life