Sovereign Grace Church Toronto

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go,  for to you I lift up my soul. Psalms 143:8

The original Hebrew literally says “cause me to hear”. A slightly stronger accent on God’s sovereign action than the word “let”. The context concerns someone in the thick of battle (see verse 3 & 9). The battle is compared to a long night and deliverance is portrayed as the break of dawn.

Note the presence of faith even while surrounded by enemies, and while the Psalmist is “faint” (vs 4) and his “spirit fails” (vs 7). Faith can live alongside great feelings of spiritual weakness! In fact, faith increases as self-sufficiency decreases. They have an opposite relationship to each other.

What specific manifestation of steadfast love does he pray for? Why is this so essential in the midst of spiritual warfare? (consider someone being guided through a mine field!)

Pastor Tim Kerr

Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Psalms 119:76-77

This is a simple prayer for comfort. Few things comfort us more than knowing that God’s covenantal love will not depart from us, nor be diminished, even when we go through deep trials or slip and fail. Human nature tends to withdraw from others when they fail. Success attracts and failure repels. But God is so different from us. Note the utter dependence reflected in this prayer. What two-fold argument is used to make a case for the two requests made? Do you ever pray this way?

Pastor Tim Kerr

In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Psalms 119:88

Note the basis of the petition. What does he appeal to – in order to “move” God to answer his request? How does this display faith in prayer? Why do you think he asks for “life”? Why is a grace provision from God always essential before we can obey him on any level?

Pastor Tim Kerr

Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! Psalms 25:6-7

“Remember” and “Remember not”. Here is an excellent two-point request pattern for prayer. Note what the Psalmist asks God to remember and “forget” in verses 6-7. Now think of the person you like the least (hint—the one you find yourself critiquing the most). What would change if you remembered them according to God’s steadfast love and goodness instead of their sins?

Pastor Tim Kerr

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. Psalms 92:1-2

Goodness is in part expressed by thankfulness—“it is good to give thanks to the Lord”. This puts us in memory of verses like Col 2:7 & Col 3:17. Gratitude is presented as the polar opposite of an impure mindset in Ephesians 5:4

Note the rhythm of prayer that regulates the grateful spirit. We find two faith declarations here: a declaration of anticipation in the morning & a declaration flowing from reflection in the evening. Two bookends to the day, both punctuated by gratitude.

We start the day with a faith-filled anticipation of meeting God’s steadfast love for “his mercies are new every morning” (Lam 3:23). This is gratitude for what is to come. Even if the day contains trials or unexpected sadness, we can face the day with the unwavering confidence that “nothing in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:39)

Then, at day’s end, we reflect on the happenings of the day and declare God’s faithfulness. We express gratitude for his never-changing faithfulness: “Great is your faithfulness!”

Would you be willing to put yourself in this rhythm of prayer? Would you be willing to try it for one week?

Pastor Tim Kerr

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. Psalms 107:43

The wise govern their thought life. Years ago, in college, I studied Hydraulics and Pneumatics. Pneumatics is the use of pressurized air to accomplish tasks too difficult for a person to handle alone. Thoughts are like air. Air can be undirected blowing, this way and that, or it can be like pneumatic air—focused and put to good use. Spiritually speaking, our thoughts are most useful, productive, and wise when they are contemplating God. This past month has been dedicated to pondering and “considering the steadfast love of the Lord”. What truths about this theme are lingering in your mind? Has there been any insight discovered that has caused new faith to rise up in your heart? How are you expressing that faith to your heavenly Father?

Pastor Tim Kerr

Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103:4-5

Most of us are aware that we are saved from destruction. Wonderful as that is, it can remain very impersonal. The fireman may rescue someone from the fire, but have no relationship with the rescued one afterward. Not so with God. Think of a coronation. God is the one placing the crown on your head. And what exactly is that crown? It is all that he is in himself—a giving of HIMSELF to you. According to verse 5, what is the result of this extravagant gift?

Pastor Tim Kerr