“Teach me Your Ways, O Lord” Psalm 86 “Teach me Your Ways, O Lord”

Background A psalm of David A prayer The occasion unknown

God’s Preservation (1-7) (1) A request for an audience with God – acknowledgment of He whom we approach – Matt. 6:9

God’s Preservation (1-7) (1) A need – “I am poor and needy” Jn. 15:5, Matt. 5:3, Luke 18:13 Is there any other way to approach God?

God’s Preservation (1-7) (2) “Preserve my life, for I am holy” (“I am godly” – NASU) - not arrogance, but a surrender (I belong to You) (3) “Be merciful to me” (1)

God’s Preservation (1-7) (4) “Rejoice my soul” happiness found in Him! Rom 12:12, Phil. 4:4 (4) “To You I lift up my soul” – the LORD is the one he turns to

God’s Preservation (1-7) (5) “For you Lord are”… Good - Rom. 11:22 Ready to forgive – 2 Pet. 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4, Micah 7:18, 1 Jn. 1:9, etc. Abundant in mercy to all who call on Your name (2) Eph. 2:4 In difficult times don’t forget His goodness!

God’s Preservation (1-7) (6-7) “Give ear to my prayer…” A simple request for God to listen to him. A blessing His people enjoy – 1 John 5:14-15

God’s Power (8-10) (8) “Among the gods there is none like You…” He is the ONLY true God cf. Ex. 20:2-5 His power demonstrated – in Egypt, against Baal, Babylon, Nineveh, etc. Dan. 3:28-29

God’s Power (8-10) (9) “All nations…shall worship You…” He made every nation cf. Ac. 17:25-26 They will bow Phil. 2:9-10 Rev. 15:4

God’s Power (8-10) (10) “You are great and do wondrous things…” His power demonstrated often – crossing Red Sea, 10plagues, Jericho, Mt. Carmel, Assyria, etc. You alone are God – Isa. 44:6-8, Eph. 4:6

God’s Instruction (11-13) (11) “Teach me your ways…” How can He teach us? through His word – Psa. 119:104-105 through experience – Psa. 37:25, Phil. 4:11, cf 1 Sam. 17:34-37 through chastisement – Heb. 12:5-11, cf. 2 Sam. 12

God’s Instruction (11-13) (11) “I will walk in Your truth…” 1 John 3:21-22, 24 (11) Unite my heart to fear Your name – an attitude in agreement with God!

God’s Instruction (11-13) (12) “I will praise You with my heart…forevermore” – not a one time action (13) Great is Your mercy toward me (3) God’s part in his life!

God’s Instruction (11-13) (13) “You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol” the grave Eccl. 9:10, Hos. 13:14, etc. Cf. 2 Sam. 12:22-23

God’s Protection (14-17) (14) “A violent mob…” David’s plight and the cause of his prayer on this occasion! They were enemies of God as well

God’s Protection (14-17) (15) “But You, O Lord…” are full of compassion Gracious – full of grace (Jn. 1:14, 16) Long suffering 2 Pet. 3:9, 15 Abundant in mercy (4) And truth 2 Pet. 1:3

God’s Protection (14-17) (16) “Turn to me and have mercy on me…” (5) (16) “Give your strength to Your servant and save…”

God’s Protection (14-17) (17) “Show me a sign for good…” – not a miraculous sign, but God’s demonstration in his life (can we know God is there?) “That those who hate You…” – may this “sign” cause his enemies to turn (cf. Rom. 12:17-20)

God’s Protection (14-17) (17) “You have helped and comforted me.” Continual acknowledgment of His mercy and its result

May our prayers be offered with such fervor and faith!