Bible Studies

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The Scriptures
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 - "Show Me a Sign"
Key Verses: (NCV)

• 1-2: “Lord, listen to me and answer me. I am poor and helpless. ²Protect me, because I worship you. My God, save me, your servant who trusts in you." - There are times when we feel that we have reached the end of our rope; we are helplessly dangling without hope. As God's loyal servant we can turn to Him for help.
  
  
• 6-7: "Lord, hear my prayer, and listen when I ask for mercy. ⁷I call to you in times of trouble, because you will answer me." - Faith is the knowledge that God answers all of our prayers - even those that may seem self-serving.
  
  
• 16: "Turn to me and have mercy. Give me, your servant, strength. Save me, the son of your female servant." - Many times in life we find that only God can help us and strengthen us through the ordeals we face.
  
  
• 17: "Show me a sign of your goodness. When my enemies look, they will be ashamed. You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me." - We know of God's presence in our lives but there are times when we seek proof.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Are you in trouble? Are you "poor and helpless?" Are there aspects of your life over which you have no control? Are there issues or situations in which you feel attacked? Where do you go to seek refuge? Do you pray for God's protection in your life? When you feel weak, exposed, or out-numbered, are you able to trust in God's protection and salvation? Can you worship Him in all circumstances, even when your heart is weary and hopelessness fills your soul?
  
  
• Does God answer your prayers? When you cry out to Him and ask for mercy, does God respond? Do you ask for confirmation in order to be certain that He has heard your cry? Should you seek proof of His love? Do you think that asking for a sign from God is, in some way, asking for too much? Is it an indication that you lack faith or have an immature relationship with God? Or is it a way for you to focus on God's involvement in your life? Is it possible that God is always responding to your prayers and it is your blindness that keeps you from seeing the "signs" of His goodness? Should you pray for God to "open the eyes of your heart"¹ in order see evidence of His love for you more clearly?
  
  
• Why should God protect you? Many of the prayers throughout the Bible beseech God for protection from harm. Should this be an integral aspect of your prayer life? Are you under constant attack from your enemies? Are your enemies, God's enemies? Is this an issue of good versus evil and, without God's help, evil will prevail? Or is this an issue of righteousness? When you seek God's protection, is it a way to eliminate the fears and worries you have in your life? Is it possible that when you seek God's help and comfort that you are actually taking steps onto His pathway of righteousness because you are relinquishing control of more of your life into God's hands?
  

Promise of the Gospel:

Life's issues, at times, can become burdensome and overwhelming. When things are not going smoothly, it can seem as though we are under attack from all directions. Matters of money, health, and relationships can fill our hearts with hopelessness. Fear can permeate our being. Despair will replace hope. Faithlessness can be spawned from our worries and anxieties. Under the constant pressures of life it becomes difficult to trust in God's love. We look around and wonder where He is and why He is allowing these calamities to prevail? David's song reveals to us that there are things in life that we, alone, are ill-suited to handle. We are not always capable of keeping the enemies of fear, worry, anxiety, despair, and hopelessness at bay. We need God's help. We require His protection. We seek proof of His love. These are not prayers of faithlessness. These are not situations where we should know better and should be able to work through. These types of prayers are steps into the light of God's righteousness. When we beseech His protection and seek evidence of His presence we are giving more of our life into His capable hands. As we give to God control of those things in life over which we have no control, He will open the eyes of our hearts in order that we will find proof of His love wherever we look.

¹"Open the Eyes of My Heart," by Paul Baloche, CCLI Song No. 2298355, © 1997 Integrity's Hosanna! Music, For use solely in accordance with the Song Select Basic Terms of Agreement. All rights Reserved.


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