What Comes Around Goes Around!

Psalm 41

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
2 The Lord protects and preserves them—
    they are counted among the blessed in the land—
    he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
    and restores them from their bed of illness.
4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
    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 When one of them comes to see me,
    he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
    then he goes out and spreads it around.

In this psalm David recounts  the blessings one gets by reaching out to those who  are  "weak".  The word "weak" is also translated "poor". Guzik says, "The idea behind the word here translated poor may include economic poverty, but is broader. It has the idea of weak or helpless. "

Twice he calls "blessed" the person who treats the poor in this way.  This is similar to what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  Unlike David's compassion, his enemies do not treat David with mercy. They speak falsely of him, slander him behind his back, and whisper in the hallways about his demise.  With friends like that who needs enemies right!

David acknowledges his own sin, but He trusts that God is faithful and God honors those who keep the covenant he made with Abraham.  David did not yet realize that sinners are justified by grace through the Christ, but He trusts in God alone for his salvation.  About his rejection he says, "Even my close friend, someone I trusted,one who shared my bread, has turned against me." v.9 These are the same words Jesus will quote referring to Judas' rejection of him at the Last Supper.

 Do you ever feel frustration that others, including maybe your friends or family, do not offer you the same mercy you offer others? Though you may not see it right away, those who help the weak, in any sense, will be blessed!  This is a precious promise to hold on to.  Being "blessed" is more important than what others think of us. Think about this the next you have to help someone in need. 

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