Turn to Me and Be Gracious to Me

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Turn to Me and Be Gracious to Me

Just like us,  King David faced  one trouble after another.     His enemies were always trying  to do him in.     His sins bothered him.     He just felt plain ol’ lonely  as he faced his problems  and desperately wanted God  to stay near  and help him.     While meditating  on the holiness and faithfulness  of our LORD,  David showed his appreciation  for God’s goodness and uprightness — just as we, also, need  to always tell God  that we are glad  for His lovingkindness and truth.

Keeping all these things in mind,  David  then  prayed  in Psalm 25:16-18,

Turn to me  and be gracious  to me,    
For I am lonely  and afflicted.    
The troubles  of my heart  are enlarged;    
Bring me out  of my distresses.    
Look upon my affliction  and my trouble,    
And forgive all my sins.

When we are lonely  and afflicted,  we really need God  to turn to us  and be gracious  to us.     It is only God  who can really help us  in our needs.     Our troubles can loom above us  like a huge storm  that makes us painfully aware  of how vulnerable and utterly helpless we are  all by ourselves.     There is nothing we can do  to help ourselves.

So,  we look at how David received the help he needed,  and follow his example  of rightly praising the LORD  for all the good He has done for us  in the past.     And,  we follow Paul’s instructions  in Philippians 4:4-7,

Rejoice in the Lord always;  again  I will say,  rejoice!

Let your forbearing spirit be known  to all men.     The Lord is near.     Be anxious for nothing,  but in everything  by prayer and supplication  with thanksgiving  let your requests be made known  to God.     And the peace of God,  which surpasses all comprehension,  shall guard your hearts  and your minds  in Christ Jesus.

In our loneliness and affliction,  we really need  the peace of God  to guard our hearts and minds  in Christ Jesus.     Our troubles  can warp our perception  of God’s truths  so that we “forget” to honestly praise our Lord  and pray  for His grace  to help us  in our needs.     When we forget  to praise our Lord,  we can get into the mode  of wrongfully complaining.     How very easy it is  to complain.     Life hurts.     That’s why we need God  to  “guard”  our hearts and minds.

Our Savior will guard us  as we give thanks and praise — even in our distresses.    It’s a way  of remembering  all that God has done  in love for us  over the years.   In His peace,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You  for Your patience and love  for me.     Your name is so blessed as You tenderly lead us  in the ways  that are best for us  in the end.     Thank You for getting me through the hard times  to Your glory.     In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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