Steadfast and Sure

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
    save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
    for you answer me.

“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours…
For you are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol…
You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
    give your strength to your servant.” Psalm 86:1-8,10-13,15-16

“O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
    Be our arm every morning,
    our salvation in the time of trouble…
The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
    abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:2,5-6

Soft lines of cloud striate the pale early sky, tracing a back rub from heaven, soothing the morning with a reminder of God’s constant, other-worldly, loving care. In our need, He is the gracious preserver, in our woe He gladdens, in troubled times He is stability. There is none like Him, steadfast and sure.

Yet we waver in steadfastness of spirit, and waffle with unsure, untethered emotions. Voices come at us from every direction, constantly harping, taunting, teasing us into turbulent thinking and frenzied reactions. The psalmist in his very writing sets us both foundation and pattern, declaring with his trust his great need, making specific request, and staking his claim in God’s ownership, goodness, compassion, uniqueness, truth, and love. He approaches God’s throne on the basis of His mercy and grace, exalting His and bowing as His servant.

Would we so turn from complaint and come to our loving Savior’s throne of grace to find help in time of need? Would we stop the negative chatter and whine to others that diminishes any understanding of a Sovereign, and instead lift high praises for His great and wondrous deeds? The trusting, united heart is one that is filled with gratitude, and spills over to exalt Him before those around us. (Hebrews 4:16)

In the upheaval of our times, how confidently do we commune with God? What evidence is there that we live day to day under the banner of God’s grace and stability of His benevolent care?

Father, may all I do represent Your wisdom and steadfast character, that others be drawn to and sure of who You are, and how You love.