Psalm 41:1-9 “For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. The LORD will deliver him in the day of evil. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness. I said, ‘LORD, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you.’ My enemies speak evil against me: ‘When will he die, and his name perish?’ If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it. All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me. ‘An evil disease’, they say, ‘has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more.’ Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.”

We are called to be a blessing to those who are disadvantaged. We don’t only help others to receive some kind of earthly reward. Our greatest rewards are the spiritual blessings that come from following God.

Luke 6:33-36 “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind towards the unthankful and evil. ‘Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.’ “

Why should we appeal to God for help? Because Jesus knows what it is like to be hated. What it is like to be maligned. What it is like to be betrayed. He can relate. He can understand. And we should always be ready to bring our cares and concerns to Him.

John 13:18 “I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ “

Hebrew 4:16 “Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.”

For additional worship: Psalm 41 (In Your Presence Forever) [feat. Jon DeGroot]