Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant[.] Psalm 86:16
Because I did not wake early enough to give God my first fruits of undistracted time this morning - I am coming back during my day to commune with my God and to (1) seek my forgiveness, (2) gain strength and daily sustenance. Listening to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, I reflect on John Piper's words and on the words of the psalmist who in Piper's words "give us a beautiful model of daily dependence on future grace for every exigency." Piper lays out several examples of the psalmists dependence on future grace:
- They cry out for grace when they need help: “Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” (Psalm 30:10).
- When they are weak: “Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant” (Psalm 86:16)
- When they need healing: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord” (Psalm 6:2).
- When they are afflicted by enemies: “Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me” (Psalm 9:13).
- When they are lonely: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16).
- When they are grieving: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief” (Psalm 31:9).
- When they have sinned: “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (Psalm 41:4).
- When they long for God’s name to be exalted among the nations: “God be gracious to us and bless us . . . that your way may be known on earth” (Psalm 67:1–2).
These are all circumstances I have faced. I also need my "bread" daily - see Matthew 6:9-13. I cannot exist without Christ as He provides for all of my needs, saves me and gives life now (abundantly) and for eternity.
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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a great God that pours out blessings to me daily and I desperately need them. Thank You Jesus for how You provide for all of my needs and for how You save and sanctify. I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and daily - including failing to give You my first fruits. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
