The first thing I read this morning was John 3:16-21. It says,

16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Then I read Psalm 86.

PSALM 86. A prayer of David.

Theme: Devoted trust in times of deep trouble.

Author: David

https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/86.html

1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. 14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. 15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 16 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. 17 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.

Study Notes.

86:7 Sometimes our pain is so great that all we can do is cry out to God, "Guard my life" (86:2). And often, when there is no relief in sight, all we can do is acknowledge the greatness of God and wait for better days ahead. The conviction that God answers prayer will sustain us in such difficult times.

86:8-10 "There is none like you Oh Lord.". The God of the Bible is unique! He is alive and able to do mighty deeds for those that love him. All human created deities are powerless because they are merely inventions of the mind, not living beings. The Lord alone is "worthy...to receive glory and honor and power" (Revelation 4:11). Although people believe in many gods, you need never fear that God is only one among many or that you may be worshiping the wrong God.

86:17 It is right to pray for a sign of God's goodness. As David found, it may be just what we need. But let us not overlook the signs he has already given: the support of family and friends, the fellowship of other Christians, the light of each new day. And we can be confident that he knows our situation no matter how desperate it becomes, and he cares.

When I awaken around 3:16, John 3:16 immediately comes into my mind. What a wonderful way to start a day. It makes me resolve to stand firmly in the love of my Savior and to seek the light of his love and truth. Everything else, all the deceptions that so frustrate me, become meaningless when I am standing in the light of the world given by God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for waking me up this morning and for drawing me toward the light of truth. Thank you for your Son, and the saving grace he offers us. Help all of us who feel conflicted about what we should do. Let the light of truth guide us. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

A song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NV_Ws0GLT98

Have a blessed day.