Psalm 86:7
“When I am in distress, I call to you, 
because you answer me.” (NIV)

Every time I’m in trouble, I call on you,
confident that you’ll answer.  (MSG)

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Confident, confident
Dry and secure. 
Raise your hand. 
Raise your hand if you’re Sure. 

It’s funny, the things that get stuck in your head. And then they come out in the most awkward of moments. For example, some years ago, a pastor was preaching when his tongue got tangled. He said something that he would never say in a million years in a normal conversation. The congregation erupted in laughter. 

So he did what you and I would probably do, too. He tried to fix the matter by restating himself. His restatement was exactly the same uncomfortable expression that he had used the first time. The crowd roared even louder. 

Then he yelled, “Stop it!”

That didn’t help. People just laughed all the harder. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen another white man turn that red with embarrassment. 

And here I stand on an early morning, thinking about this verse. And what comes to mind but a deodorant commercial from many years ago?

Placing our focus back where it ought to be, we see King David expressing his confidence in God. God had proven himself over and over and over again. David had been at risk of death many times. God faithfully delivered him every time. David wrote down his God-confidence. He preserved for us a song to sing in our most challenging moments. 

A radio station in Houston uses the two-word theme “God listens.” King David gives us two words to add to that. He says, “God answers.” 

God listens.

God answers. 

I guess we could say, 

Confident, confident,
Yes, I am sure. 
I raise my prayer. 
Because I am sure.

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I will take all of my distress to God who listens and answers.

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Our Father, you are my first resort. You are where I turn first. My confidence is in you because you have heard and answered my prayers over a lifetime. You are who you have always been today. I have no doubt, I have no fear that you will change and not hear. Thank you for leaning in to listen. Thank you for rescuing me from every trouble. Amen.