Day 180

The Cry of the Heart

Read: Psalms 86-89

In Psalm 86, David cries out for help. He sees no evidence that his prayer is being answered, but he continues to pray. Perhaps you have some problem today. There seems to be no answer. Keep trusting, keep praying. God will help you. Do not give up.

Zion was a name for Jerusalem. Christians naturally apply to the church the good promises made to Jerusalem. Psalm 87 inspired John Newton to write the great hymn “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” which makes such application. Since the church is the body and bride of Christ, our longings also should be for its welfare. Those longings should express themselves in faithful service on behalf of the church.

Heman the Ezrahite, the author of Psalm 88, is in deep distress. In the midst of his despondency, he cries out to God. He does not understand why God is not answering him, but he continues to pray day and night.

In 2 Samuel 7, God had promised that sons of David would sit on his throne forever. In Psalm 89, Ethan the Ezrahite stresses the point “forever.” This is God’s covenant promise. But the current events of his time seem to contradict this promise. Ethan pleads with God to explain this to him. We, too, often have situations where God does not seem to be keeping his promises. But of this we can be sure: he will keep his word. We need to wait patiently.

PRAYER
Father, give us faith to believe in your promises and patience to wait for their fulfillment. In Christ. Amen.