Way back when I was in Bible college my English teacher read Psalms 86 and we discussed it that day in class. I do not know why this stuck with me all these years. I really do not remember much from any of my other classes, but I remember that day. I reread this this morning because I was feeling lost and so very tired today. You see I work as a cashier at Walmart and even though we are under a “Safer at Home” rule from the governor, it was busy yesterday. Groups of young people and families were out shopping. And, they were not just buying essentials they were buying from every department in the store. I do not ever remember seeing so many kid’s bikes being sold in one day.
I was very tired yesterday as I have not been sleeping well at all. I guess I was letting this virus get to me. I was stressed out because I work in the public at the self-check area and there is no barrier between me and the customer. I live in a small town and we already have three confirmed cases of the virus. Anyone of those people could have shopped at Walmart and used the self-check outs where I usually work. I am constantly moving from one register to another helping people ring up their purchases. It can be very stressful! Most people are very understanding and give me some space when I ask them to move a few feet away from me. But yesterday I have a group of young people at one register who were purchasing beer and they did not give me space to approve their purchase. I asked them to move away from the register and they laughed and said, “she doesn’t want to get CORVID”. I just walked away but I was so mad! No, I do not want this virus! I am over 60 years old and asthmatic. I was forgetting God is our help in this stressful time.
So, this morning I prayed this Psalms for myself and the rest of the world.
(Scripture is from the New Living Translation of the Bible and is in italics.)
1Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.
2Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
3Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
Yes! God, you are my ever-present help when I need You! I only need to trust You!
4Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.
Instead of happiness I ask for joy. I seem to be lacking joy in my life. Restore my joy Lord!
5O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Ready to forgive! Oh, I need that!
6Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry.
7I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.
You answer me when I call on You. Maybe not the answer I want but I know you will help me when You answer no or not now.
8No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do!
Only You can stop this virus! Not the president, medical personal or all the money in the world. Only You! Help us!
9All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name.
10For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.
I pray many will come to know You because of this virus. You alone are God! You are our only help!
11Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
Yes, may I be reading Your Word often so I may honor You, every day. Help me to honor you!
12With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever,
Praising You makes me feel better. It helps me focus!
13for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.
Even if I get this virus, I know You love me and will rescue me. You will help me.
14O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them.
Unlike David, the author of this Psalms, I have no known enemies. However, I can substitute depressing thoughts, anger, distrust, despair, and many other thoughts which keep me from thinking of You. Help me to keep my thoughts on You!
15But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
Slow to anger when I forget You are there for me. Thank You for always loving me.
16Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant;
save me, the son of your servant.
As I face another day at work help me be strong and help me to smile. It has been hard to smile lately and so many needs someone to smile at them.
17Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame,
for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.
A sign Lord? Maybe just leading me to read and write about this Psalms was the sign I needed! Thank You for Your help and comfort!
Now I am ready to face my day. Psalms 86 is full of reminders God is our help in these troubled times. I hope you found this as helpful as I did.
Love how God’s Word just seems like it is addressed to us….and you….individually but all of us. Wild and a great thing. Thanks for sharing this particular psalm.
Great post. So nice how the psalm speaks to you and inspires your day.
This is so timely. I needed this message today. Thank you for sharing this!
I hope you feel more refreshed. Thank you for sharing. I love how Psalms can be applicable in so many situations. Hope it improves for you!
I wrote this at the beginning of April. It has improved since then.
What a great prayer for today. It relieves some anxiety putting everything to God’s work and timing, knowing only He is in charge.
As always a very inspiring post! Psalm 86 is on of my all-time favorites!
What a wonderful Psalm! It’s so amazing how God’s words resonate throughout time
I love this post. Thank you for sharing.
God answer’s your prayers and will help you get through those hard times. Having those bikes at walmart was an answer to prayers for those parent’s whose kids needed to get out of the house and play. Believe me I Have four kids and we went to walmart looking for a bike and they were all gone luckily the next day they had them in stock and wow miracle!
God is always faithful when we seek him first. His words always calms my mind, soul and body. I am so grateful that you seek him to calm your soul. Thanks for sharing. Amen.
Great post!
Psalms is the place to go to find comfort in this anxious world. We have to give all of our anxiety over to God before it consumes us. Excellent reminder.
I am so sorry that you have to self-advocate with people who don’t get how to protect you from Covid-19. It’s not that hard, and yes, we need to be able to smile at folks. I always love how you take a psalm step by step. So much wisdom there.
Is it really bad that I am hoping that you didn’t approve their beer purchase before you walked away?
Well they had an ID so I had to approve them. One of the group was a former cashier at my store and I knew she was old enough. This was written in the beginning of April and a week later I came down with bronchitis. I have been well ever since and I am not as fearful as I was then. Yes, they were a rude bunch of kids and I really did not want to approve them but they were old enough (barely). Thanks for your comment.
Having faith is essential during these trying times.
Can’t do anything without His help!
Such an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing.
I, too, work with the public. There is no barrier between me and total strangers. Some are respectful… others don’t seem to care. I liked my personal space BEFORE COVID, and now, it’s just made me that more aware. I don’t worry so much about myself, but I don’t want to bring anything home to my children. We have given up a lot to ‘stay at home’ and follow social distancing rules. Hopefully, you will encounter more people who are positive and respectful, and less people with such negative energy.
Steady the course! You’ve got this! God is in control of all!
He is our strength and our protector! Sometimes we all forget that He’s in charge and we shouldn’t fear. May you find strength this week.
I’m sorry that happened to you. I was talking to a gentleman who worked at Walmart and this lady came right up to us yelling about how she had to wear a mask! It was horrible! I’m glad you remembered that Psalm! God Bless you!
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling stressed with work. I think I’d feel the same way. I hope Psalms 86 brought you the joy you were seeking and the help you needed to face another day at work! God bless!
You have a stressful job, for sure. Good luck.
The stress level during this time is elevated for everyone, especially for those like yourself who have to work in the midst of the fray!
I remind myself everyday that “I’m with God”. It helps me put things in perspective.