HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“ For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Psalm 86:1

How insightful are the “for” in this psalm? And each one of them introduces an argument which I shall do well to use in my prayers, and which is sure to have weight and efficacy with God. Let me put them together, adding plea to plea, and let me think of their accumulated force.

For I am poor and needy — my own utter poverty sends me to the mercy seat and constitutes of itself, an unconquerable appeal.

For I am a child of Yours. It means, in Your family and covenant, and therefore dear to Your heart.

For I cry unto You daily — I am ever looking and beseeching and clinging; and apart from You I can do nothing.

For unto You I lift up my soul — that You may see it to be, not without spot and blameless — but at least sincere and true in its affection for You.

For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive. Ah, there I am on firm and stable ground — there can be no mistake about the grace and liberality of my God.

For You will answer me. It is Your delight to do so; and all experience, my own and that of tens of thousands make certain the blessed fact.

For You are great and do wondrous things. There never is in You, as there is so often in me — the will to help, while the means and opportunities are lacking — Your strength is as great as Your love, and Your resources are inexhaustible.

These are a battalion of unanswerable requests. And I can employ them all.