I am poor and needy

 Psalm 86:1–17 (ESV):  

1  Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, 

for I am poor and needy. 

 2  Preserve my life, for I am godly; 

save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 

 3  Be gracious to me, O Lord, 

for to you do I cry all the day. 

 4  Gladden the soul of your servant, 

for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 

 5  For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, 

abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 

 6  Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; 

listen to my plea for grace. 

 7  In the day of my trouble I call upon you, 

for you answer me. 

 8  There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, 

nor are there any works like yours. 

 9  All the nations 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, 

that I may walk in your truth; 

unite my heart to fear your name. 

 12  I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, 

and I will glorify your name forever. 

 13  For great is your steadfast love toward me; 

you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 

 14  O God, insolent men have risen up against me; 

a band of ruthless men seeks my life, 

and they do not set you before them. 

 15  But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, 

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 

 16  Turn to me and be gracious to me; 

give your strength to your servant, 

and save the son of your maidservant. 

 17  Show me a sign of your favour, 

that those who hate me may see and be put to shame 

because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. 

This psalm written by David shows his humility. Even though he is a strong, powerful, blessed king, he describes himself as, ‘poor and needy….your servant’. As a young man in his father’s house we can see how this would relate to David, but when he wrote this psalm as the anointed king of the nation of God, it can seem odd to try to comprehend. Yet, ‘poor and needy’ is how David describes himself in several of the psalms. As David considers and praises God, i think he recognises how poor and needy he is in comparison with Him. No matter the earthly riches, authority and reputation he has on Earth, what is it when you compare it to God? It is ‘poor’ and insignificant in comparison, and the level of capacity and capability is ‘needy’ indeed. David acknowledged this in a way many of us miss. 

It is not encouraged or desired by society to be known as ‘poor and needy’. In fact, those who are can be looked down upon and pitied so David does not go to people in his poverty or neediness. The only one David wishes to show his lack to is God, for what could man do? God can get to the heart of the deprivation that David feels. It must have been hard for him to relate to being king. From the lowly, overlooked position of a shepherd to a throne, it is not surprising that David felt like he didn't belong, that he wasn't prepared and that he didn't have enough within himself to perform his duties. Yet he was king because he went to the place we all need to when we feel insufficient for the task ahead of us - he went to God. The only one who can give life, salvation, grace, forgiveness, love, courage, hope and joy. These are the things you really need when you feel ‘poor and needy'.

As well as acknowledging the poverty and need in his own life, this psalm also glorifies God. In fact, most of it is a psalm of recognition of how wonderful God is. David recalls how God is good and forgiving, and always loves him - you can see the genuine relationship and delight David has with God. Yet he does not, even as king, consider himself at all powerful or in control in comparison to God, when he thinks about God, he realises how poor and needy he is! As much authority as David has, or as much influence, as many people or wealth he has at his fingers, when you match it up to the wealth, authority, power and capacity God has it truly is ‘poor and needy'. David honours God as the Almighty King. The One who can change any circumstance, the only truly God because no-one and nothing else can compare with what God can do (v8-10). 

In his humility, David asks God to show him what His ‘way’ is. Sometimes we can be so confused and distressed that we do not know what way to go, or what God wants from us in a particular situation. So even in this time where David is in need, he seeks God to show him how to live right to, ‘unite my heart to fear your name’. David knew that his emotions were all over the place, but even so he wanted to honour and serve God well in this season. So he asked God to help unite his heart with obedience to God. What is your response when you are in distress? To you accept your feelings and allow yourself to be mastered by them or do you, even then, in the midst of overwhelming disappointment and sadness decide to subject your emotions to God? This is what David did, and this is powerful. In an age when people do what they feel and follow their emotions, the people of God are not to do that but instead to seek God first. Above thoughts, desires and feelings, they are to invite God to restructure their hearts so that they can live their lives in truth. Is your heart's cry to God in times of difficulty;  'Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name'?

You are poor and needy. You will encounter disappointment and heartache, but you are not to be led by those experiences or emotions. For in your need you have an Almighty God, and Everlasting Father and a Faithful Friend you can call upon to uphold, strengthen, love and guide you. Will you call upon God in your times of need? At the end of this outpouring of love, praise and recognition of the greatness of God David declares, 'Lord, have helped me and comforted me'. Just through spending quality time with God, David has felt comforted, listened to and helped. The situation has not radically changed in the moments of this prayer, but offloading to God and showing that you are willing to do things God's way, not your own, allows God to minister to you. Relying on God gives strength, purpose and unites your heart. I wonder what His way is for you. Are you prepared to ask God to show you, and trust God to unite your heart?

Dealing with hypocrisy

 Psalm 41:1–13 (ESV):  

1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! 

In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; 

2  the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; 

he is called blessed in the land; 

you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. 

3  The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; 

in his illness you restore him to full health. 

4  As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; 

heal me, for I have sinned against you!” 

5  My enemies say of me in malice, 

“When will he die, and his name perish?” 

6  And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, 

while his heart gathers iniquity; 

when he goes out, he tells it abroad. 

7  All who hate me whisper together about me; 

they imagine the worst for me. 

8  They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; 

he will not rise again from where he lies.” 

9  Even my close friend in whom I trusted, 

who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 

10  But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, 

and raise me up, that I may repay them! 

11  By this I know that you delight in me: 

my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 

12  But you have upheld me because of my integrity, 

and set me in your presence forever. 

13  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

from everlasting to everlasting! 

Amen and Amen. 

In these verses we see how David starts generically talking about how God blesses, ‘the one who considers the poor’. He then applies this to his life and realises that considering those that have less or are weaker than yourself somehow leads to God’s blessing. Showing mercy, being courteous, kind and demonstrating compassion to those who need it means that in some way you earn God’s favour. If you do it with the right motives of course, as God sees the heart and intention of your actions. 

David then considers how this relates to his present position. He recognises that although he is very ill, yet, ‘The Lord sustains him’. Not only that, but he is aware that God is also; restoring him, has given him favour throughout his country, has not given up on him or given him over to his enemies. David acknowledges that despite the current pain and suffering, he is still blessed! God is still showing favour to him and David puts this down to the fact that he has shown kindness and compassion to those who are poor and needy, and has done his best to be a man of integrity living his life following God. David considers himself blessed even at this time when he is significantly ill and repentant. He is waiting for, yet assured of, the fact that God will restore him both physically and spiritually, because although he knows he is not perfect, he has lived his life doing his best to honour God and consider others. 

This season was not easy for David. Although he was assured of God’s blessing and mercy, he still had to endure the discomfort physically, spiritually and emotionally. It still hurt, he still suffered. David tells us that there are people that are visiting him that are awaiting his death and spreading news of his demise. Those that should have shown concern for his current illness are actually gathering to see if it will finish him off and then spreading rumours of his decline. Yet David knew that he was being healed and restored. Therefore there must have been signs of improvement but these people chose not to see it and certainly did not want it. These people, even close friends, went to see him pretending to have concern and compassion, but instead of trying to help or hope for his recovery they spread false rumours that, ‘he will not rise again’. These people weren’t just any visitors either for they have intimate access to the king. So they must have been trusted advisers, friends, courtiers, influential people in David’s realm. Not everyone would have access to the chambers of the king especially when he was weak, only significant people in the king's life would have the permission to see him. Yet these people abused their privilege and showed their real character through this time of David’s suffering. They revealed that they are not friends or trusted counsellors but enemies instead of caring for David and showing concern for his decline they revelled in it. What a heartbreaking situation to find yourself in. When those you care about, trust, love and have built life with, root for your destruction. Not only was David dealing with repentance, blessing and illness, he also had to deal with the emotional upheaval of changing relationships. They thought he would be able to do nothing about their altered attitudes as they waited expectantly for his death. Yet he knew their thoughts and actions and was given confidence that, ‘my enemy will not shout in triumph over me’. God must have shown David that his recovery was coming as he knew he was not as unwell as others desired. He was certain that God was upholding him because of his integrity, due to his behaviour towards God and others so he was assured that this season would result in full health and restoration and the blessing of God.

Times of trouble can reveal who is really for you and who is not. David began to recognise that some people were hypocritical and had transformed themselves from close counsellors into enemies. Yet he did not do anything about it whilst he was unwell. He waited. He did not throw them out or prevent them from coming to see him. Maybe he was waiting to gather further evidence to see if his concerns were validated. He did not react out of fear or anger, but knew that God would deal with them and that he would have an opportunity to, ‘repay them’. He had a God-given assurance that in good time, all would be made right. Even though experiencing hypocrisy is infuriating, it does not always need calling out and confronting straight away. Allow yourself time to consider the circumstances, the person and talk to God about it like David did. It will be frustrating, feel powerless and painful, but God will show you how to deal with such people. Their comeuppance is coming, you need to ensure that you continue to live with integrity and maintain your own good conduct and character. David was determined to do this - to maintain his right standing before God, to not respond until he was fully recovered and to allow God to influence how to deal with these deceitful people. So if you find yourself having to deal with a similar situation, do not rush to react or let your emotions get out of hand. Instead trust that God will reveal truth and restore you. He will not allow the enemies of His dedicated followers prevail. He didn’t allow that for David, and He won’t allow that for you. So, keep; praying, waiting and trusting that God sees and knows all. He will sustain and restore you too. So, when you suffer, when you have times of trial, when people disappoint and come against you - keep mindful about what God is doing, who He is and what you can expect of Him. Consider your relationship with Him and your behaviour towards others. David was confident that he would be restored and his name and integrity upheld. God will do the same for you as you continue to walk with Him, lead a life of integrity and care for the poor. Ensure that you live a life that allows you with full confidence to say along with David that God has, 'upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

 Psalm 10:1–18:

1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

2  In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; 

let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 

3  For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, 

and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. 

4  In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; 

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” 

5  His ways prosper at all times; 

your judgments are on high, out of his sight; 

as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 

6  He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; 

throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 

7  His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; 

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 

8  He sits in ambush in the villages; 

in hiding places he murders the innocent. 

His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 

9  he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; 

he lurks that he may seize the poor; 

he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 

10  The helpless are crushed, sink down, 

and fall by his might. 

11  He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, 

he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” 

12  Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; 

forget not the afflicted. 

13  Why does the wicked renounce God 

and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 

14  But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, 

that you may take it into your hands; 

to you the helpless commits himself; 

you have been the helper of the fatherless. 

15  Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; 

call his wickedness to account till you find none. 

16  The Lord is king forever and ever; 

the nations perish from his land. 

17  O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; 

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 

18  to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, 

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

Have you ever felt that this is true, that when you most need Him, God is hiding? If so, you will probably relate to David's words in this psalm. He too wondered why God seems so far off when trouble comes. So he rants to God about it, getting his concerns and fears off his chest by telling God about the harm and distress he sees going. He lets God that he sees it is not fair that those unable to help themselves are persecuted. Yet the powerful. greedy people who have no regard for God are successful and the cause of  oppression. As you consider the world today - has much changed?

The reason for a lot of suffering and oppression is often because those who do not follow God are getting their own way (v3). They are interested in what they can get out of life at whatever cost and do not care that others may be negatively affected by their pursuits. The wicked boast of their; lifestyle, riches, power and desires unhindered and seemingly unopposed. They have a disregard for others and for the concept that there may even be a God - they are the master of their own worth and destiny (v11 &13). Yet what they desire never seems satisfied and so they go further from God and descend into greater chaos, ignorance and sin. Their wicked desires can never be fulfilled. There will never be enough; money, time, entertainment, knowledge or physical pleasure to fulfil their lives, but they seek more and more and end up drowning in despair, chaos and sin. Yet they know not what they are doing - they do not realise that this endless unsatisfying cycle can stop when they begin to know God. These people are seen as wicked and determined in their sinful ways, and so they can be, yet, is it not actually sad that these people are missing out on satisfaction, hope and fulfilment? They are growing in sin because they do not know God and so they do not really know themselves nor the way to contentment and they don't know it. This is why David invites God to, ‘Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none’. David requests that God break the strength of the wicked so that the suffering of others may stop but also so that they can be called to account. The best solution David sees is that these 'evildoers' realise their wrongs and receive the full forgiveness of God. That is David's plea for the corruption that he witnesses - is that yours? Often we pray for the demise and destruction of the wicked and their schemes, but do you pray for the salvation and restoration of their souls? David prayed for their transformation, that God would so change them that no wickedness could be found in them. Has not God done that for you? Transformed your life from one of wicked intent to a life seeking to honour and obey Him? So, should you not join David as he yearns for the breaking of the strength of the wicked and for their salvation? Even the person furthest away from God has a need for Him they just haven’t found it yet. God has not yet broken their arm and called them to account, but He will. 

when David sees situations that are unjust and unfair he goes to God about it. He rants and pours out his experience and what he witnesses, then he lets God knows what he thinks and seeks God for a radical solution, knowing that God is king of it all. Instead of asking for the wicked to be beaten and diminished, he asks for their salvation. Instead of praying that the oppressed and poor will be elevated, he asks that God will strengthen, help, hear and do justice for them. How do you pray for those far from God and for those whom are suffering? 

David has come to realise that even when God seems to be doing nothing, God is aware. He is not actually hiding or closing His eyes to what is happening. God has His plan we don't know what it is. So we have to wait and trust Him knowing that God is good and that He cares for HIs people. When you next encounter a situation where you wonder what God is doing try praying like David - let God know what you see, remember who God is and pray for radical solutions like salvation and strength for, 'The Lord is king forever and ever' He has a longer-term vision than we ever could have asHe has reigned and will reign forever so do not worry, God has it all in hand.

What are you boasting in?

 *9*Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, *10*and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. *11*For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 

James 1:9–11.

It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, you’re still going to wither like the grass one day. The same thing happens to us all. It doesn’t matter what you have or what you don’t because on the day you take your final breath it won’t effect your eternal destination. So, whichever condition you are in right now, do not gloat about it. 

James calls the poor to, ‘boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation’. Both very counter-cultural statements. In society, it is often those with money who have influence and power, who are upheld by others and admired and so have the platform to exalt themselves. Therefore James instructs those who are rich to boast in their humiliation not in their worldly influence. If you consider yourself rich, James exhorts you to not get swept away with what you have. Don’t go around showing off your riches and opportunities, but remember that without Jesus you really have nothing! When you compare what you have to the power, influence and renown of God, what does what you have look like? Even the richest people on Earth look poor compared to God. Put your life into God's perspective. When you consider God and His kingdom, what is your life worth? Therefore boast in your humiliation.

On the other hand, James tells those who are deemed poor to, ‘boast in his exaltation’. If you consider yourself poor and lacking today, James instructs you not to boast about what you lack. Instead remember how much you DO have. James invites you to develop an attitude of gratitude. You have much to be grateful for. If nothing else, then the minimum that you have is the fact that Jesus has given you life, a future and many promises. If you live your life following him, you have so much; You have a purpose, an eternal future, a relationship with God, a place prepared in heaven and you are an heir with Jesus! Even the poorest on Earth can be rich in eternity, so put your life into God's perspective and consider what is your life worth? Therefore boast in your exaltation.

The point here is that God does not want us to get carried away with our current circumstances on Earth as one day it will all be gone. So, instead of being concerned about being rich or poor, think about how much your life is worth to God. He sent His only son to die for you and He has invited you to live eternally with Him - this is worth boasting about, not the state of your finances. Whatever your situation right now, it will end. Whereas your eternal inheritance will not. Whether you think you have a lot or a little, one day it will all be irrelevant. It will ‘pass away’ and ‘wither’. So don’t build your life upon what you have in the here and now as it is transitory. Those things won’t mean a thing when you get to see Jesus face to face, the will wither and fade away.