25 July Psalm 86

Give me a sign of your goodness

Psalm 86:17(NIV) 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.

David is praying and at the end of his prayer, he looks at his enemies who are attacking him. He pleads for God’s mercy to be shown to him. And then he asks God to give him a sign of His goodness – a sign or token of His love and compassion and mercy towards him.

The Psalmist asks for a sign of God’s goodness. He needs the reassurance that God is with him; that God is for him. Don’t we all, at a certain point in our life, need some form of reassurance that God is with us.

The Message Translation says in Psalm 86:17(MSG) Make a show of how much you love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you, GOD, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet.

When we need a sign, it’s not that we don’t know He’s there. It’s simply that we need a touch from God.

Notice that David doesn’t only beg for help in this Psalm. He also confesses his faith, Psalm 86:5-10(NLT) O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.

When we are already standing in faith and we just need a little encouragement, it’s all right to ask God for a sign.

When we ask, God will answer. He will help us see His hand at work. He will show us what He’s doing.