A Happy Heart

O. T. #1289  "A Happy Heart"
Sept. 20, 2018
Psalm 86
In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me. Psalm 86:7

LET IT GLOW

Woohoo! I have a happy heart today. I think I am on the right road of finding the reason I have been having horrific stomach pains more than 2 months. After going to the doctor three times, and taking medications, eating cottage cheese and yogurt until it almost gags me, to not avail, I may have figured it out. At times the probiotics helped and other times it didn't. Now, several years ago, I concluded that I am lactose intolerant. I would take those little tablets to help because I didn't like those special milks. Well, yesterday, I broke down and bought milk without lactose. Guess what, no pain this morning with my Cheerios.  So I think, the cottage cheese and yogurt was not helping me because I did not take my tablets for lactose intolerance (contained milk). Duh, Linda! A simple solution was right in front of me.
Happy day! I have a happy heart today! Thank You Jesus! Yep, sometimes the answer to our prayer is right in front of us.

Friends, take a look at this interesting background that I found about this particular psalm, which is from Liberty Bible Commentary:

 It is one of 5 psalms entitled Tephillahs or prayers. The others are Psalms 17, 90, 102,  and 142.  Since a prayer is irregular in construction, the psalm does not lend itself easily to strophical arrangements. (stanzas) This psalm is a mosaic pieced together by adopting sections of other psalms. The psalms from which this psalm draws materials are 25-28 and 54-57, all of which are Davidic Psalms. In addition, there are thoughts that parallel those found in Exodus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.

David makes some requests of God because he knows that God is:

• good,
• ready to forgive,
• plenteous in mercy,
• hears supplications.

 David believes that whenever he is in trouble, God will answer his prayer. David had plenty of troubles during his lifetime. Enemies were trying to bring him down/kill him. Do we believe that, also? When we are trying to follow in God's will and steps, He is going to take care of His children. Sometimes answers to our prayers are immediately or not.

In Psalm 50:14-15 God says, Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on Me is a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.

God has rescued me and He will rescue you, too, dear one. Keep asking and believing.



LET IT GROW

 We can conclude from David's writings that he had a special closeness with the Lord. David asks for specific blessings because he:

• is needy, he asks for God to listen (verse 1);
• walks with God, David prays to be guarded on that path, to preserve him (verse 2);
• clings to God, he asks God for His favor on his life, mercy (verse 3);
• relies on God, he asks for a happy heart (verse 4).

So it is okay for us to ask God for mercy and a happy heart, right? After all, David did.
Have there been times in our life that all we can to is cry out to God during our pain or troubled times? Are we willing to wait for better days? Can we have a happy heart, trusting God to sustain us in the meantime?

LET IT GO

Admit my neediness to God.
Walk with Him while I wait.
Cling to Him for mercy.
Rely on God and ask for a happy heart.