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Friday, February 11, 2011

The Great Benefit of the Poor and Needy


"...I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me."
-Psalm 40.17

As with David in this Psalm, innumerable evils surround us and our iniquities overtake us. These two realities lead to failing hearts. The realization of the fact that we are indeed poor and needy because of our sin should not make the burden of guilt heavy. It should lead to immediate and continual repentance.

Holding onto guilt and failing to deal with sin biblically will overwhelm us. We struggle doing the things we should do, and we too easily do the things we shouldn't. As with Paul, we must conclude, "O wreteched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7.24) It is precisely at this point that we acknowledge the fact that we are poor and needy. "I thank God - through Jesus Christ our LORD" that all of us can find deliverance.

A realistic perspective of how often we sin, where it leads us, and our utter helplessness to overcome it leads to the conclusion that we are poor and needy. Yet the LORD thinks upon us. This is the great benefit of facing spiritual reality.

The LORD thinks upon ME. It's personal. God thinks about me as an individual. His eye is upon those who fear Him and those who hope in His mercy (Psalm 33.18). He knows the thoughts He has toward us. They are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope (see Jeremiah 29.11). Then we will call upon Him; then we will pray and find Him! The reality of our poor and needy state drives us to search for Him with all of our hearts. He has promised that we will find Him. God has considered my troubles. God thinks deeply about me. God knows my soul in all of its trouble and tumult. Therefore, I poor it out to Him in prayer.

The LORD thinks upon me. The presence of the LORD provides comfort in our midst! Can anything be more beneficial?! Let us declare the righteousness, faithfulness, and deliverance of the LORD (see vv. 10-11)! Let us bring out into the open His lovingkindness and truth - both of which continually preserve us. We find great abundance in the well of the LORD's tender mercies - new every day.

Knowing the LORD thinks upon us means we have no cause for worry or fear. It means that He will provide everything we need for all that comes at us in life. My sin, the sin of others, or even persecution and suffering for doing right - all of these storms are weathered by the fact that the LORD thinks upon us.