But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
I have good news and I have bad news. The good news usually comes first in these situations and softens the blow for some serious trouble. Here in Psalm 86, the prayer of David lays out the big trouble in his life.
O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
In this case, David could be excused for giving up hope. Then come the verses above, “But you…”, a pronouncement of hope and trust in the only God that could possibly help David.
In this world the bad news usually comes before our feet hit the floor. But you…One of the best phrases in Scripture is “But God”. We are surrounded by our sins and powerless against them. But God… We are overwhelmed by the bad news in the world. But God… We were enemies of God because of our disobedience. But God sent his Son to a manger, then a cross, to show us the love of God. Now we are at peace with God and have the hope of eternal life missing from so many lives this Christmas season. Today, may we be able to see the turmoil in the world and the hatred from its people toward one another and say with hope and joy…
But God…
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church