This verse says it well:

“Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy” (Psalm 86:1).

Spiritually, morally, physically, financially, emotionally, socially (and probably a few other ally‘s) — I am poor and needy.

I want God’s attentiveness. I need Him to hear me. I need Him to work wonders in my favor.

But if I want Him to hear me . . . .

“Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” (Psalm 86:3).

That’s right! I need to cry to Him daily.

And to cry to Him daily I need to be aware of Him every day. I need to learn to acknowledge His presence at all times.

Perhaps I am too busy trying to tend to my own need to think of crying out to Him.

If that is so, how foolish!

I found Psalm 85 to be a short, refreshing read this afternoon.

“Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease” (4).

I was captivated by the plea to be turned, presumably away from the ways that displease God.

For Him to turn me, I have to yield to His control.

I do.

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (6).

I believe God’s answer is a vigorous, happy “Yes!”

For Him to revive me, I have to admit my need and submit to His work.

I do.

“Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps” (13).

I definitely want Him to set me in His steps.

Set, in the sense of being placed there.

And set, in the sense of being firmly established there.