"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!" Psalm 41:1
Psalm 41, like many of King David's Psalms has multiple themes. The first three verses captured my attention today. His reflections are concerning the poor. These verses are packed with powerful meanings. I can't wait to unpack and reflect on them together.
David encourages us to remember those who are less fortunate than us. In typical God style, He rewards those who are kind to the poor. The word kind is translated in the ESV as considers. Considers is the Hebrew word sakal. It means to look at or upon, have insight, to give attention to, ponder. Digging deeper into verse one we see the word poor. The transliteration of poor is dal. It means weak, low, depressed, least, needy. None of us have to look very far to find someone who to consider.
The Lord rewards or blesses those who consider the needy. The list of blessings are quite impressive. But of course, our God is quite an impressive God. Those who take time out of their lives to consider those who are weak, depressed, least or needy can count on the following from our impressive God:
God knows the rewards of real protection, rescue, health, and happiness (prosperity) are things that money can't buy. David proclaims "joys" for those who are kind. Let's make it an asher day. Consider someone who is poor or needy. It might not be the man on the side of the road holding a "Will work for food sign." It might be someone who needs the door held or food carried for them at the restaurant or perhaps the elderly woman sitting beside as you wait needs a smile and pleasant conversation. Ask God who He might have you consider today and the day after that and the day after that and so on...
The Lord rewards or blesses those who consider the needy. The list of blessings are quite impressive. But of course, our God is quite an impressive God. Those who take time out of their lives to consider those who are weak, depressed, least or needy can count on the following from our impressive God:
- To be rescued in times of trouble
- To be protected
- To have prosperity
- To be rescued from their enemies
- To be nursed when sick and restored to health
God knows the rewards of real protection, rescue, health, and happiness (prosperity) are things that money can't buy. David proclaims "joys" for those who are kind. Let's make it an asher day. Consider someone who is poor or needy. It might not be the man on the side of the road holding a "Will work for food sign." It might be someone who needs the door held or food carried for them at the restaurant or perhaps the elderly woman sitting beside as you wait needs a smile and pleasant conversation. Ask God who He might have you consider today and the day after that and the day after that and so on...
6 Comments:
My Mother and I despite our differences at times in life were best friends. She was raised by her Grandmother because her own Mother died when my Mom was 4. From what Mom told us Great Grandma was not very kind to my Mom, but did teach a very special lesson to Mom that has been passed down. Be kind to the poor. Great Grandma lived a couple miles from the train tracks and the "Hobo's" as they were called in the 40's and 50's would come to the back door and she would give them a plate of food. She told my Mother never to deny anyone a meal you never knew when it might be Jesus.
Before my Mom passed away, she had a thriving ministry of feeding the homeless. Even as her own health was very frail she would cook a hot meal every Saturday take it to the park and pray with the less fortunate and then they could have a hot meal and a sack lunch.
With so many that stand on the side of the road, it is easy to get desensitized to the poor, but I ask God for discernment on who to help and who not to. I too have a great desire to always be giving. Many times in my life I was not wise with my giving nature and was taken advantage of. That's where the discernment has needed to come in.
I have learned that even though God tells us to give and be kind to the less fortunate that we need to use His wisdom and discernment, so that we are balanced.
Thanks for listening,
Have a Blessed Day,
Lynn
Wendy, I loved where you took us this morning! You brought that verse alive to me in so many ways. You even answered a prayer request that I prayed last night! I feel so much better this morning, knowing an answer about a situation. Thank you so much for the deep meaning of the word 'poor.'
As I read today's chapters I was parked at chapter 39.
In 39:4, David’s prayer, “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered,” ---is my prayer too! We are here for “a moment…but a breath.” How easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day activities ---the stuff that keeps us distracted. If we are not focused on God, we allow ourselves to get so busy that we shirk our most important purpose in life. Each day is precious, fleeting, passing, and momentary. Oh, to be thankful in all of our situations and not to waste much of our lives on things that really do not matter. Dear Lord, help me, to not lose opportunities for fulfilling Your Will. My desire is to “take joy in doing your will, my God.” Thank you for speaking to me through your precious Word, that teaches and reminds me how to live!
Monday...here we come, ready or not! :) Loving each one of you,
and praying for you too...Lori-AZ
Wendy, thank you for the challenge today. It's not always easy to step outside our comfort zones to consider others who are poor...poor in position or spirit. Praying the Lord will open my eyes, then give me His hands and a heart with His love.
I have to admit to almost laughing out loud as I read the first few verses of Psalm 39.
"I said to myself, 'I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue'...But as I stood there in silence - not even speaking of good things - the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words..." Psalm 39:1-3
If any of you who read this are also Facebook friends with me, you'll know that just two weeks ago my FB status read, "Joy is getting lots of practice holding her tongue!!!" And, as recently as two days ago I wrote, "Joy is about to blow a gasket!" So, do you see the humour...and the irony?
Unfortunately, there are times when a volcano of fiery words errupts, spewing anger, confusion and disappointment. Thankfully it usually only lasts seconds. Emotions can place us on the verge of exploding, as pressure builds to an uncontrollable measure.
So, how did David handle this dilemma? Like Lori already reminded us, he asks for a new perspective.
"'LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.' We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing...Rescue me from my rebellion." Psalm 39:4-6,8
In the scheme of things, how important is the situation that has my feelings raging? Even if I am justified in my reaction, is my response really worth it? I say with David, rescue me from me.
"My only hope is in You", (Ps.39:7)
Joy
Sweet Girlfriends,
I'm feeling led to tell you about some of God's Glory that I experienced over the weekend. Prayers being answered, but not fully comprehending it all until this morning, after my walk...after reading Joy's comments...and AFTER I re-read what Wendy wrote to us. Truly, I can say, that Wendy, God's Spirit is coming out of you. The words from your heart are God's Spirit!
I really did not want to come back and comment again, but am obeying the voice inside me. What I was impressed upon was that the enemy is after us. He will come at all sides, in ways that you least expect. I'm finding that he seems to be "bugging" me more, the closer and closer I seek God's presence. I will have to say that if I was not studying God's Word daily, I'd be pulled off the path.
My week was going great, I was excited and eager for Dave to come to church...all week long I prayed that He'd open Dave's heart and give Lisa (the one ministering to us this week) words to say that would impact Dave...Well, little did I know...the enemy was planning his scheme to attack ME!
Friday afternoon, my son went home with a friend. When I picked him up he did not have his backpack. To make a long story short this incident dragged out over the entire weekend. The backpack was left in a car, the car was left unlocked, and the car was broken into. My son - and his friend's - backpack were both stolen. Talk about blowing a gasket! Talk about needing a bit & bridle! Talk about the turmoil within me getting worse and worse until it climaxed Sunday afternoon. All of his stuff from the entire semester was in this backpack! Exams are next week! Can you relate to what the "teacher in me" was feeling? I acted like it was the end of the world.
Well, it turns out that my son drove in a car with the friend's teenage sister. She's an inexperienced driver and he knows we don't allow this. Rather than be strong enough to let his friend know, he went along with it and accepted the ride. He's got a good heart, and told me the truth...but, I was so full of anxiety over the "contents" inside, that I missed the teaching moment at the time. He observed me react [I will say that without God's grace, it could have been much worse, because I did have the scriptures on my mind, and I was trying as hard as I could to focus on them, calling out to God, to see me through this.] This morning God whispered to me, "I don't care about his earthly grades, I care about his Godly character! He disobeyed his parents!" Whoa! I about fell down and worshipped him right there on the spot. I was on my morning walk. Then, He as sweet as He can be, reminded me that I have been daily praying over his character! He reminded me that I've asked him to watch over him when I'm not with him. IF I was not seeking God's Will on a daily basis and if I had not been in God's presence, I know I'd missed out on this teaching moment. I had so much joy by the time I got home. I praised God, because:
He cares enough about my son, that He allowed him to get caught!
He kept him safe in the car. He knows his tomorrows and He knows what is best in every situation. I experienced the 'joy in the morning,' and I'm so full of the peace He so freely gives us. I was so taken by the fact that he answered my prayer's. He's raising my son through us to have a Godly character. When this is all over and done with next week, I know everything will be fine. He is an A student. Backpack or no packpack things will work out, one way or another! God ALWAYS knows what is best! When will I learn this? His eyes never leave us! His Word is proof, all the proof I need, to know he really cares about me and He listens to me.
I was a sensless mule this weekend that needed a bit & bridle! But, guess what, my precious Father loves me anyway. Everything happens for good to those that Love God...I'm seeking Him with all of my heart.
I don't want to take up the space to write about how God answered another prayer...a prayer that I was in turmoil over just last night. Through you, sister Wendy... answers from God! Answers I needed to hear! I'm telling you all the Devil tried doing a mighty work on me with arrows coming from all directions. I realize more and more, he's smarter than I've given him credit for! To seem Him in action is down-right scary! But, thankfully God is on my side! :)
Lord, my impressive God, keep rescuing me from the enemy that is trying with all his might! Seeking you for guidance. Loving you with all of my heart!
PS I do believe that Dave got more out of the service this weekend! My thoughts were elsewhere which I'm ashamed to say!
Lori - AZ
Afternoon sister,
I have a few minutes before getting Will from school. Busy day today, had to go get a seal put on some teeth so I am pretty numb right now and really thirsty :)
I loved reading all the insights today and am loving the Psalms so much! There was two things that I highlighted and starred. One was along the same lines that Lori was talking about in Psalm 39:6, "...and all our busy rushing ends in nothing." I found myself asking this morning, "what things that I do are really just rushing around?" I was so stressed this weekend since we were painting. Things were ALL over the house! That kind of thing really bothers me and by yesterday morning with a bed frame in the bathroom and the hosue alarm beeping and I could not get it turned off from where we had to unplug it, I was ready to explode. BUT, God knew what I needed and church as just wonderful and I had a great afternoon with my boys. How much do I do that is just rushing around? I have been pondering that today.
The other verses are Psalm 40:1-3. These are my life verses. This is what the Lord did for me in my life. He heard my cries from the pit of despair and He lifted me out! He set my feet on The Rock of Christ and steadied me! I do have a new song to sing and dedicate my life to it everyday! My prayer is that my journey can be a light and hope to others, especially women, and they will also put their hope in Him. Being in MOPS leadership for the past three years God has used it is great ways. I got the priviledge of sharing my testimony in April of '08 then this past year was the Coordinator. We had three moms saved at our Christmas meeting back in December. I am so thankful for the what the Lord has done in my life and I want so much for every women to know that freedom, that security and that love that only Jesus can give them!
Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the day! I have been reading Proverbs 31 today after our Pastor gave a message on it yesterday. I read it in the AMP version and WOW, I am learning so much and can't wait to journal about what all God showed me this afternoon :)
Blessings~
Brandee
Wendy, thank you for the challenge today to help someone "needy" and for opening our eyes as to who is needy. I LOVE this post!!
Wendy #1
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