A Sign Of Your Favour (Psalm 86:17)

 


Friday, June 6, 2025


Psalm 86

Deuteronomy 4:25-42

Acts 1:1-14


A Sign Of Your Favour (Psalm 86:17)


Show me a sign of your favour,
    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
    because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.


It is often tempting to pray through the Psalms and instinctively associate ourselves with the righteous one who wrote them. This is a good instinct for the Christian to have, as through Christ we are encouraged to do so. However, we can also look at the enemies of the Psalmist, and make sure we aren’t contributing to the problems of the world.


Consider who is upsetting the Psalmist. “Insolent men have risen up against me… they do not set [God] before them.” These are not a nice bunch of people. Looking to the final verse, we can see the solution. The one that is being upset can throw shame upon those doing the upsetting when it is apparent that God loves them.


There will always be people around that ruffle our feathers. The humblest saint has to deal with this problem just like the rest of us. Yet we ought not let that ruffling upset us too much. Because what if that person receives a sign of God’s favour, a sign that the Lord helps them and comforts them? Where will we be in our self-righteous displeasure at that person? It would seem far healthier instead if, when we notice someone upsetting or displeasing us, we were to think of God’s favour upon them; indeed, if we were to pray for God to bless our enemies. And if God answers our prayers and blesses them then I doubt we would stay enemies for very long.


Let us then return back to our original reading: of identifying ourselves with the one praying the Psalm. We can pray this Psalm if we pray it in Christ. Great is the Father’s love toward Jesus; he delivered his soul from the depths of Sheol. (v. 13) In Christ, great is the Father’s love towards us; he will deliver our souls from the depths of the place of the dead. And when we find ourselves sore oppressed by bands of ruthless men, let us ask God to show us a sign of his favour: because the Lord, our Lord, helps us and comforts us.


Where do you see signs of God’s favour in your life? Where do you see signs of God’s favour in the lives of those around you?


Gracious God, you are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to us and be gracious to us, give us your strength, and show us a sign of your favour, that we may walk in your truth and glorify your name forever.

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