Carina Francke

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.  Psalm 86:17

Yesterday we spoke about prayer which is the hotline of hope that keeps us in contact with God and generates power so that we can live as God wants. Prayer is also the raw, naked acknowledgement of our inability to change ourselves, but at the same time it is also a declaration of our dependence on God’s ability when we ask: “Lord, give me ...”

David is suffering under people who treated him badly, attacked him and even wanted to kill him, that is why David begins his prayer in Psalm 86 with the words: "Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”  In the requests that follow, it is clear that he needs protection, salvation, grace, forgiveness and the joy of God in his life (v1-5). In the midst of these depressing circumstances, he does not hesitate to sing of God's power and greatness and it motivates him to such an extent that he prays: "Show your strength…save me.... Give me a sign of your goodness ... “(Psalm 86:16-17). He is actually asking God for a sign, a miracle in his life that will silence his enemies when they see what God does for his people. He wants God to use him as an example.

There was someone else who made a similar request. An arrogant young man demanded that his father give him his inheritance prematurely, he then squandered the entire inheritance and ended up penniless and in desperate straits. With a deep awareness of his sin against his father and heaven, he resolved to return to his father saying: “Make me like one of your hired servants” (Matthew 15:19).

Sometimes, as in David’s case, other people are the cause of our misery. More often than not, like the son who squandered his inheritance, it is our own wrong choices and mistakes that lead us astray. Both of them, however, prayed with sincere intentions and a contrite heart, and both prayers were answered. The wonder of these two stories is that a loving father was ready and waiting to welcome his child with open arms and a blessing.

Your Father is also waiting for you.

Prayer: Loving Father, today I want to pray like Joseph Neesima: “O Lord, reform the world ... and begin by me.” Make me ever aware of those things that hinder your presence from being evident in my life. Let me be your hands and feet in the world, so that your enemies know that you help and comfort your people.  Make my talents and gifts a sign of your goodness so that people will acknowledge that there is no God like you. Amen