The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 86:1-7, “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long.
4 Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications!
7 In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, For You will answer me.”

David was first a shepherd, then a servant of the king, then a warrior, and ultimately the king himself. He was a godly man, and a man of prayer. Those who trust in the LORD and find themselves in trouble, are usually those who go to Him in prayer, asking forgiveness.

David is not ashamed to seek the LORD in prayer. Apparently, something in David’s life had slipped from the moorings of God, as he speaks of trouble and seeks forgiveness.

It’s not difficult for us to slip out of God’s will for our lives. Further, it takes courage to admit our sin and seek forgiveness. If you doubt this, think of something you’ve done against someone, and how difficult it was to admit your wrong and to seek their forgiveness.

David’s confidence that God would answer his prayer and forgive him should encourage us. He said, “I shall call upon You, for You will answer me.” It takes courage to admit to doing wrong, and it takes courage to ask forgiveness. Yet, the confidence we have in admitting to wrong, gives courage to the one we wronged to forgive us as well. The LORD is in the business of forgiving. He enables the one we’ve wronged to forgive us. Be ready to pray and to forgive others. You’ll both be better for it.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom