Psalm 86 is a prayer of Davids heart. In this prayer, he makes 14 requests that can only be answered by God because He is God.

As you read through this Psalm, think of the things you bring to God in prayer. How does the knowledge of Who He is affect the way you approach Him and the requests you make of Him? Do you expect Him to answer based on your desire or based on His character? Day One: 1) Read Psalm 86 and 1 Samuel 25. 2) What significant event happens at the beginning of 1 Samuel 25? How do the people react? Where does David go? 3) Samuel was a faithful prophet and the last judge of Israel. He had anointed both Saul and David to be king. How do you think his death affected David? 4) David is on the move again and goes from the stronghold of EnGedi to the Wilderness of Paran. He has been on the move for quite some time. Through the agony of his unsettled existence, no home, no dwelling place, God is teaching David to be settled in His Heart-at home in Him. 5) Take a look through the Psalms we have studied so far and show how David is becoming settled in God. 6) Describe what takes place in the rest of 1 Samuel 25. Pay close attention to Abigails words in verses 28-31 and then to Davids in verse 39. 7) How does God use this wise woman in Davids life? Abigail had to be settled in God as well. There was no settling in a safe haven of home for her. Abigails words reflect the home of her heart in God. How about you? Are you settled in the home of Gods heart? Day Two: 1) Read through Psalm 86 again to set a backdrop for todays study. 2) Go to 1 Samuel 25 as we follow David into yet another time of trusting God to avenge his enemy. Read this chapter and describe how David depends on Gods strength, judgment and timing, instead of relying on his own understanding and ability. 3) David is posed on the pinnacle of possible freedom from his enemy. Yet, if he takes the plunge, the fallout could be a far greater bondage than he finds himself in now. How do the words of his companion in verse 8 seem logical and right? 4) How are Davids words in verses 9-10 a reflection of his seemingly illogical faith? 5) Jump back over to Ps. 86. Circle the phrases that were most likely the prayer of Davids heart in these moments. 6) Verse 19 of 1 Samuel 25 reveals the real struggle in Davids heart. What two possibilities does he give for why Saul is pursuing him? What is his greatest frustration in all of this running? Day Three: 1) Today will be a little unusual. There is a lot of reading; but press on; God has wonderful things to show us! Lets skim through chapters 27 and 29. (Well come back to chapter 28 later in our study.) Note the highlights from both chapters. 2) Go back to verse 1 of chapter 27. Whom does David consult before he acts? 3) According to 1 Samuel 22:5, God told David to stay where? Understandably, David wants out of the fire for a bit; yet this was outside of Gods plan. What does God tell us about following our heart in Jeremiah 17:9 and Proverbs 3:5-6? Day Four: 1) David operated in fear as he moved toward a place of protection with the Philistines. He used them as a shield from Saul. How did he still keep his honor

and righteousness before them? 2) As David and his men are sent away from the Philistines, they return to Ziklag where David had made a temporary residence. According to verses 1-6, what do they discover there? 3) The men are devastated, frustrated and angry. They want to blame someone and David is their leader, so they hurl their blame at him. What does David do in verses 6-8? 4) How does this action fall in line with Psalm 86:11? 5) David once again acts as a heroic leader should. Read verses 9-20. God has given David a sign (Psalm 86:17) and David follows His direction, how might Saul be ashamed when he hears what David did concerning the Amalekites? 5) What evidence of mercy and grace did David demonstrate in verses 21-25? 6) Verses 26-31 show Davids giving heart. He gives out of a heart that receives from the goodness of God. How does Davids giving show his growth in understanding of Gods character? Day Five: 1) Read Psalm 86. 2) Record all that you learn about the character and nature of God. 3) As you think back over the chapters weve read and the hand of God in Davids life, what are some of the direct connections between Davids communication with God and his understanding of God? 4) This Psalm is a prayer to God with very specific requests. How do Davids requests call on God to move within His character? 5) Compare Davids prayer to your own prayer life. What is similar? What is different? 6) Using Psalm 86 as a pattern, write out a prayer to God calling on Him to move and act within His character as He fulfills His will in your life.

Psalm 86
A Prayer of David.
1

Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. 4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works. 9 All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. 12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. 13 For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14 O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them. 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!

Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.