Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for You. But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:14-15
“A direct complaint is registered…the language is concrete and seems to be descriptive of an actual situation. However, as is usually the case in the psalms there is nothing to identify what is going on with any degree of specificity…Verse 15 is a form of the basic description of the nature of the Lord found in Exodus 34:6. Other forms of the affirmation are found in Numbers 14:18; Psalm 103:8; 145:8; Nehemiah 9:17; Jonah 4:2; Joel 2:13. The expressions in the differing contexts represent a liturgical usage of the confession of faith.”
Marvin E. Tate in Psalms 51-100 (Waco: Word, 1990) 382-383.
There are real problems in the world today. Some, like COVID, are affecting everyone. Other challenges are regional, local, and many are personal. What do we do when the crisis escalates to life-threatening levels?
The biblical answer is to confess faith in our compassionate God.
Numerous biblical texts in the Old Testament reveal that through the history of God’s people, this was the pattern. When in crisis, proclaim your trust in the Sovereign Lord.
Whether it’s related to COVID or other matters, let us together confess our faith. Let’s add fasting and prayer to this confession. Generosity today comes into view as a God who hears, cares, and acts for us.
God, thanks that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness. We proclaim our trust and dependence on you today. Come to our aid in crisis. Amen.