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Title Longsuffering and Abundant in Mercy

Text: Psalm 86
20 November 2005

(I) A FRESH APPRECIATION OF GOD NEEDED

1. When we recognize our weakness

“Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me;
For I am poor and needy.” Psalm 86:1

2. When we recognize our helplessness against wicked enemies

“O God, the proud have risen against me,
And a mob of violent men have sought my life…” Psalm 86:14

(II) A FRESH APPRECIATION OF GOD POSSIBLE THROUGH MEDITATION

“For You, LORD, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” Psalm 86:5

“But You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” Psalm 86:15

1. List the attributes of God for meditation

a) Goodness

b) Forgiving

c) Abundant in mercy

d) Full of compassion

e) Gracious

f) Longsuffering

g) Abundant in… truth

2. Take time to:

a) Dwell on these attributes

b) Comprehend them deeply

c) Imbibe these truths into our very souls!

(III) A FRESH APPRECIATION OF GOD THROUGH APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE IN PRAYER

1. Practise praying in a very personal manner

“You are my God” Psalm 86:2b

2. Practise consciousness of being God’s servant

“Save Your servant who trusts in You” Psalm 86:2b

“Rejoice the soul of Your servant” Psalm 86:4

“Give Your strength to Your servant” Psalm 86:16b

3. Practise great trust in the Lord hearing and answering prayer

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
And You will answer me.” Psalm 86:7

4. Practise consistency in giving praise to God

“I will praise You, O LORD my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forever” Psalm 86:12

POEM

THE LOVE OF GOD

My God, how endless is Thy love;

Thy gifts are every evening new;

And morning mercies from above

Gently distil like early dew.

Thou spread’st the curtain of the night,

Great guardians of my sleeping hours;

Though sovereign word restores the light,

And quickens all my drowsy powers.

I yield my powers to Thy command’

To Thee I consecrate my days;

Perpetual blessings from Thy hand

Demand perpetual songs of praise.

– Isaac Watts –