Psalm 86
Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Reflection:

This Psalm reflects David’s heart toward God.Everything in his prayer is based on God’s character and what God can do. David knew, loved, and adored God. There was so much going on around David that was difficult and even dangerous, and he could have based his life and decisions on that, but David chose to trust God.David knew that God was compassionate and gracious, and the He would truly help him at every moment in life.This very same God reigns over us today.Every phrase about Him in this Psalm speaks unerringly of who He is and how He also loves us.

Response:

When we find ourselves seeing our issues and needs in the reflection of the world and the things that go on around us, like David, let these words in this Psalm bring us back into the truth and reality of who God is and how only He can ultimately help us in this life. Spend some time reading, reflecting upon, and declaring who our God is based on this Psalm. And as we declare these things, may our hearts respond with deeper trust, worship and even singing to Him today.

When UMBC political science professor Carolyn Forestiere moved to Catonsville, she and her husband knew they wanted to fill their new home with local art. After thinking about it some more, they decided to take their curatorial endeavor up a notch — and open their home as a part-time gallery.

Their first show, “UMBC Through the Lens,” will feature five UMBC visual arts alumnae — Brittney Danielle ’12, Chrystal Smith ’12, Marlayna Demond ’12, Stephanie Ellis ’12, and Kimberly M. Haines ’12 — who will present photography related to their time as students at UMBC.

Forestiere said she was pleased to have five “wonderful photographers,” explaining she hopes “that the artists will receive exposure and further their professional credentials.”

The first show will be on Friday, October 5th, from 5 to 7 p.m. Read more about the show and get the gallery address here. The community is welcome.