LEARNING DAILY

Psalm 86:10-13, All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

The psalmist has turned to God because he has a great need or needs to be rescued from danger that he is unable to deal with himself. Where does he turn? He goes to the One who can give him assurance, who gives mercy to those who ask. In verses 1-7, the psalmist refers to God six times by using three different words for His name. Yahweh (V. 1, 6, 11) which is the name of God revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus; it means “I am who I am”. Elohim (v. 2, 10, 12, 14) meaning that God is sovereign over all other gods. Adonai (v. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9) refers to God as Lord, as master.

The writer continues in this prayer with the focus of the verses written above. The psalmist refers to the way God have protected Him in the past and the recognition that “God is great” and “alone is God”. It seems good to do this when Believers go to their heavenly Father in prayer; this should be part of the adoration to Him who loves them and is truly faithful to hearing and acting upon their needs. Notice that the psalmist, in his worship, submits to God’s will, “I will walk in Your truth”. Should that not be all Believers’ prayer during the days we live, to be united with the God who cares for each of us and desires we walk in His wisdom, in His ways – especially in the days of trial.

God alone will be the ultimate object of worship by all the nations and peoples of the world! “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.” This day has not yet come. The question becomes how long it will be until it does! The answer to that lies with God Himself. For believers, we must do as the Psalmist did, ask for His wisdom to walk the narrow way in these times (“Teach me Your way, O Lord”) and for His strength to do as He directs. Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary, “Our God alone possesses almighty power and infinite love. Christ is the way and the truth. And the believing soul will be desirous to be taught the way and the truth of God, in order to walk therein, than to be delivered out of earthly distress”.

“I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.” Is this the prayer of your heart? Doing this can be seen in each of us by a daily lifestyle that reflects who God is, His character. Reflecting Jesus is seen in our love for others, willingness to forgive others, kindness, joy, and peace we have because He lives within us. That character is reflected in Believers as they do all they can to draw closer to Jesus and walk the narrow way in obedience!