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?

Riches, power and wealth

 Psalm 62:1–12 (ESV):  

1  For God alone my soul waits in silence; 

from him comes my salvation. 

2  He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 

3  How long will all of you attack a man 

to batter him, 

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 

4  They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. 

They take pleasure in falsehood. 

They bless with their mouths, 

but inwardly they curse. Selah 

5  For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, 

for my hope is from him. 

6  He only is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 

7  On God rests my salvation and my glory; 

my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 

8  Trust in him at all times, O people; 

pour out your heart before him; 

God is a refuge for us. Selah 

9  Those of low estate are but a breath; 

those of high estate are a delusion; 

in the balances they go up; 

they are together lighter than a breath. 

10  Put no trust in extortion; 

set no vain hopes on robbery; 

if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 

11  Once God has spoken; 

twice have I heard this: 

that power belongs to God, 

12  and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. 

For you will render to a man 

according to his work. 

How often do you silently wait?

David says, ‘For God alone my soul waits in silence’. When waiting, most people; complain, sigh, drum their fingers, stomp, groan or mutter, which increases their frustration. David, however, waits silently. Peacefully and patiently standing by for God to answer. How often do you do that - sit in the discomfort of waiting? I imagine it is more likely that most of us rush off to find solutions, sometimes even with the attitude of - “well, I prayed about it, God didn’t answer so I did x, y and z”. This leads to frustration, a decline in faith, and stress. If you learnt to wait for God, I wonder what answers you would get and I wonder what you would learn in the uncomfortable silence. David learnt to allow his soul to be at peace whilst he waited for he realised that, ‘from him comes my salvation’. When you ask God things, do you wait long enough and quietly enough for God to bring you answers and salvation? 

‘’I shall not be greatly shaken’

Is this your testimony? Do the events of life, changes of circumstance greatly shake you? There is a difference between being shaken and greatly shaken. Being shaken is like being shocked, feeling off-guard, seeing the twist in the story and not being ready for it. Greatly shaken is like feeling like your whole world is falling apart. We can all get shaken, surprising and shocking things happen, how do they effect you? If you believe and trust in God, then the things of llifeg may shale you but you shouldn't become greatly shaken. If you do, consider what foundations your life is built upon. Are you trusting fully in God, or is there something else that you lean and rely on; family, money, job, position, health? These things are like ‘a tottering fence’, it doesn’t take much for them to let you down. Yet God is your rock, salvation and your fortress, so look to and depend upon Him, then you cannot be greatly shaken. A storm may come, the fence will fall, but a rock remains firm. 

‘If riches increase, set not your heart upon them’

When money comes, it is easy to get distracted. Jesus himself tells us, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" (Mathew 19:24). An increase in money can easily become something that is relied upon. The world functions through money; you need it to buy; food, clothes, pay rent, bills, even fun and entertainment. So it is not easy to stop money having influence over your heart and mind, as you need it to function in this world. Times of blessing and abundance can breed danger for if you end up feeling happy and secure by having wealth, be careful that you haven't taken your mind and eyes off the One who has provided it. Money is fickle and will let you down, even if you feel like you have much. Instead put what you have in right perspective - just consider what you have in comparison to the riches of God! Your plenty is worth less than pennies to God, so look to Him, set your heart upon Him. Money is a resource, not a life source. So use it but do not allow your life to be built around it. God is the source of all things. So base your life, heart and mind on Him for money comes and money goes (just look at your bank account!). Yet God is stable and steadfast. 

'power belongs to God’

Do not waste your time, money or effort trying to gain influence or power, for the source of these things is God. If you want to know what power looks like - look at Him. Consider His power, and the way He uses it. God’s power sustains and loves His creation. Power exists in order to take care of and nurture what God has made - this was God’s mandate for man in the beginning that as humans we should take care of the Earth, this is the responsibility he gave humanity. So whatever power you have, consider, what do you use it for? Are you intentionally using whatever influence and power you have to take responsibility for loving God and His creation? If you are a follower of God, you have responsibility to look after God’s interests. Therefore any power, role or responsibility you are given on Earth, be mindful of how you use it. ‘Power belongs to God’, so ensure that the influence you have is subjected to Him first, and use it as He sees fit. Power is not to be used for selfish gain or vain motives, but all power belongs to God. Therefore if you have been entrusted with some, ensure you honour God with how you use it. For God can give power and He can take it away. It belongs to Him, not you, you haven’t earned it, you don’t deserve it, and you may increase or decrease in it as you go through life for it belongs to God, therefore be a careful guardian of the influence you have. whilst you have it.

In this psalm there are some strong challenges to how you live life, how you use and respond to events, blessings, power and authority. Is all of it submitted to God? Do you, like David, trust in God alone?

Haman the horrible?

When we read the story of Esther, we often judge Haman quite harshly. After all, he is the enemy of the heroine and he has an unhealthy lust for power and renown, but, isn’t he just a product of his environment?

Haman has grown up and succeeded in a community which is dominated by power and wealth. He lives in the city where there is this incredible show of opulence. The city is a bustling place with people of importance everywhere, and it would be difficult to miss the lavish show of the king’s riches. Even if we just consider the palace - decorated with rich materials, sparkling gemstones and golden goblets what a show of extravagance! Can you imagine living in a place surrounded by such wealth? Being constantly bombarded by sights of the wealth and prosperity? Haman is. He even has access to this palace, so he sees it everyday and he would have been aware of how many of these beautiful, expensive things have been gained - through violent and passionate means.

Haman knows the reputation of king Ahasuerus - a proud, greedy, passionate man whom gets what he wants at any cost. Haman has witnessed it, and heard many stories of the king’s ruthlessness. In this kingdom, ruthless selfishness is permissible and demonstrated by the most famous and revered person of the time. This city of Susa, and the whole region of Persia are ruled by passionate impulse and selfish desires, a me-first society, so is it any wonder that Haman is ruthless in his pursuits too?

Haman has been surrounded by this system where anything goes, so isn’t he merely a product of his environment?

Haman has learned to play a part in this kingdom, he has realised that, to get the best in life, you need to get as close to the king as possible, at any cost. Haman knows that winning the king’s favour will benefit himself and his family. It will mean greater renown, respect and revenue. He knows king Ahasuerus promotes those who align themselves with him, who work to satisfy the king’s passions' and that the king is more interested in results than the manner in which they are achieved. Possessions, riches and authority are the top priority in this kingdom. Haman acknowledges this and unsurprisingly has developed the same mindset - to get what he wants, any methods are acceptable.

When we consider this character of Human, we often see a man whom we hate. Someone we feel disgusted with and whom we see evil in. That may be true, but is it fair for us to judge at all?

I am sure we can all think of people that we dislike, who we don't get along with, whose methods we think are disagreeable or even despicable. Yet, are we even aware of their influences? upbringing? expectations? Like Haman, have they been indoctrinated in a culture or society where certain things are allowable, acceptable or expected?

Do you judge people as unworthy and unacceptable because of their characteristics, personality or choices? Jesus doesn't.

Jesus came to forgive everyone who accepts Him, he even went our to meet the most unacceptable people of his culture - those who were detested by the Jews, those who lived lives of depravity and deceit - He invited them into relationship.

 So, my question to you this week is; are you willing to be like Jesus and accept the unacceptable? to form relationships with those who don't match up to your idea of a friend? Are you willing to share who Jesus is to you to those you think least deserve it? You never know, you might be giving a Haman the chance to redeem his life. You might be giving Saul the chance to transform into Paul. You never know whose life you may influence when you treat people like Jesus does.

what's your wealth?

So, as we have now come t the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, it’s time to start a new one. This time, it’ll be Esther as suggested by a friend, so this week we will just go through the introductory bit which sets the scene;

Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, *2*in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, *3*in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, *4*while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. *5*And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. *6*There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. *7*Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. *8*And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. *9*Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus. 
Esther 1:1–9.

So, what do you make of that?!
Basically, the king Ahasuerus, who reigned over 127 areas gave a huge party lasting 180days, that’s almost half a year! For half a year, this king showed off his wealth, possessions, land and household to those he entrusted with power and authority. Can you imagine partying for 6months? Having 6 months with your boss whilst others carry your workload. It sounds kind of ludicrous doesn’t it? just a bit over-the-top?

Then, we can consider the luxury of the place - even the floor is impressive, the stuff people walk over with their dusty feet sparkles with jewels. The whole scene is extravagant. There are coverings, abundance of provisions, expensive fabric, couches of gold and silver, even the cups were made of gold. I mean, I don’t know how much more this king could of done to demonstrate his wealth! It’s lavish, he is clearly a man of authority and power as well as great monetary worth.

So, to what purpose has he put his riches?
In this scene he’s clearly spent it on stuff, impressive possessions, he is showing off what he has, and he takes half a year to do so! He must think a lot of himself, not unreasonably really, due to his position of power.
Yet, to what purpose does he think he has all this? It seems that he is using what he has to; enjoy it, show his greatness and glory in his own worth. He has the idea that all of these things are his and his alone, he shows others what he has, but he doesn’t seem to give anything that he has, his possessions remain his, others may look at them, but he doesn’t seem to be sharing the richness of his kingdom.

I know, in life, many of us will fail to feel an ounce of wealth like this king has, yet we are all wealthy in our own ways. Maybe you are; wise, faithful, patient, studious, creative, genuine, or maybe you do have an overflow of cash. We all have areas of life that we have worth and wealth in, so how are you using them? Are you, like this king, appreciating the good things that you have, which you definitely should, but are you just keeping them to yourself? Do others benefit from the richness you have? it doesn’t have to be in big, flashy ways like this king has done, but if you have a gift of hospitality, do you open your home to others? Do you help others learn if you’re knowledgeable about something? Do you sit and listen with patience to those who need a friend? You don’t need to do all of these things, but you have this wealth for purpose, these God-given gifts are placed into your hands to be used beyond yourself, so how are you doing that?