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.
Why would those who help the poor be blessed?
When you do something for others, how do you feel in terms of your relationship with God?
Have you ever heard the phrase, 'The Lord only helps those who help themselves'? From what you've read in verses 1-3, why would this phrase be untrue?
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.
7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,
8 “A vile disease has afflicted him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned against me.
Read verses 4-9 and then describe the trouble that the writer, David, finds himself in.
Does God want us to talk to Him the way David does in these verses? Why or why not?
Why did David start with the ideas he had in verses 1-3? Did he see himself as the helper or does he see himself as the one who needs help? Explain your answer.
10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord;
raise me up, that I may repay them.
11 I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 Because of my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.
13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen. NIV
In verse 10, what is David's motivation for being made raised up? Is it ever okay to ask God to make your situation better with this sort of motivation in mind?
Describe what David is confident about in the last three verses.
::::: EQUIPPING CHALLENGE :::::
David has a wide range of emotions and thoughts in Psalm 41. What difference would it make in your walk with God if you felt free to speak to God this way? For the next 24 hours, try praying with unfiltered words and feelings to God.
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