Psalm 41:1-3 - May 10, 2009

Ps 41:1-3 "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. 3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness." NIV

Do you want to experience a happiness deeper than you have ever known? Give yourself to caring for the needs of the weak. There is a great work that takes place in our hearts when we open them to care for the needs of those who are unable to help themselves. There is nothing quite like the joy that touches your inner man when you sit with an orphan who is delighted by the mere fact of your presence. No experience can move you on quite the same level as when you invest yourself for a season of time in the lives of the poor. There are times when no toy or gift can compare to the gift of your attention and your time. Living with an open heart is the only way to live.
Not only is regard for the weak a value that impacts our own hearts, when we take time to give a portion of ourselves to those around us who have need we are moving the heart of the Lord as well. Prov 19:17 Instructs us that, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” When we show kindness to the poor of the earth from a genuine heart we are actually making a deposit into our heavenly bank account. Though there is a reward that is as simple as satisfaction of heart, which is reason enough to get involved, we position ourselves in the path of God’s blessings when we step out of our comfort zone and care for
those in need.
The first principle revealed in Psalm 40 is the principle of sowing and reaping. The Lord’s promise to us is that if we will have regard to the weak, He will deliver us when we are in trouble. We must remember that even if there are blessings abounding in our lives right now a day may come when we need the Lord to deliver US! The good news is that if you become God’s source of deliverance for others He will move mountains to deliver you! What an amazing list of benefits follow this introductory principle in Psalm 40:1-3. If you have sown the right seeds in the garden of your life, in time of need the Lord promises to protect you, preserve your life, bless you in the land, not surrender you to the desire of your foes, sustain you on your sickbed and restore you from your bed of illness. What a shelter, what a refuge God is to those who live a life pleasing to him and all of these benefits flow out of one simple thing; having regard for the weak. The simple truth implied in these verses is do not live selfishly towards others and the Lord will watch over you with protection and blessing in ways and means that only heaven can provide. This is not to say that you will never face a problem, but rather the Lord will be with you in the midst of the problems bringing life, peace and more!