I’M STILL HERE
Key Verse: “By this I know You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.” (v.11)
Key Theme: The blessings and trials of the godly.
Key Descriptives of God: Rescuer; Protector; Prosperity Giver; Healer (v.1-3)
Psalm 41 has two main themes. In verses 1-3, David lays out the blessings of those who “consider the poor” (NKJV) and then a lot more of David bemoaning his enemies— which now include former friends. David would definitely never be accused of “stuffing his problems” as he was always vividly processing them with God. He was more in the Old Testament “eye for an eye” mode of processing versus the New Testament standard Jesus taught of “blessing those who curse you.” We are permitted to see this tendency in David not to recommend it but to understand that life for King David was not just “a walk in the park.” Yes, he was king, but with it came king-size challenges. Big destiny almost without exception entails big challenges. Much of David’s Psalms seem meant for the encouragement of people of big destiny. When I read David, I see someone like President Trump has much to identify with.
CONSIDERING THE POOR
“Blessed is he who considers the poor.” (v.1) What will follow is a whole string of blessings not to “the poor” but to those who “consider the poor”. This is a great promise not to be taken likely. The word “consider” means much more than taking a moment and say “hmm it must be terrible to be poor”. In Hebrew, SAKAL is the word and it means “give attention to; to cause to prosper; instruct; teach; guide” among other words. The Hebrew word for “poor” is DAL and it means “low, poor, weak, thin”. It adds the word “dangling” as in one who is doing so physically or emotionally. So to “consider the poor” is beyond taking sandwiches to the homeless— though that can be a way as well. If you touch the brokenhearted it too qualifies. Those “dangling” in any way are “the poor”. Touch them and 4 promised blessings are given.
“The Lord RESCUES them when they are in trouble. The Lord PROTECTS them and keeps them alive. He GIVES THEM PROSPERITY in the land (on earth) and RESCUES (twice) them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and RESTORES THEM TO HEALTH.” (v.1-3)
RESCUES, PROTECTS, PROSPERS, HEALS
In essence, these are the 4 blessings promised to those who “consider the poor”. He is giving back to you what you have doled out. He is good and kind always anyways, but He has some internal notification system that tells him you have “considered the poor” which adds perhaps a “second mile” of His goodness to you. As it says in Proverbs 19:17, “He who lends (pities, tends) to the poor (needy, “dangling”) lends to the Lord and He will surely repay/reward”. I believe that when we know we have been such a person that it is appropriate to remind the Lord in our own moment of need or in an opportunity to prosper. It is not “unspiritual”. He especially delights in us knowing what we are being rewarded for. Our eye for “the least of these” shows we are His.
ENEMIES AND TRIALS
Verses 4-8 is David again detailing how his enemies speak evil of him, wish death for him, hate him, whisper against him, devise his hurt, wish an evil disease on him— and oh yeah, related or not, David has more sins to confess to God (v.4). Riding the Psalms with David is like a good Six Flags ride, there are going to be highs and lows and loops but we are always going to be safe and end in a good place. In verse 9, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me”. This seems to be someone like Joab his captain of the army, who was with him seemingly forever and from the beginning but turned on him. In verse 10, David true to form says, “Lord have mercy on me. Make we well again, so I can pay them back!” Ah, yes, sweet payback! David at times wanted more mercy than he wanted to give out, as the higher revelation had not yet made its way. It was then Jesus “the son of David” who came and raised the standard.
I’M STILL HERE
I made verse 11 the key verse. “By this I know You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.” It is a great landing place. “God I know you are pleased with me because I am still here.” I love it. Sometimes that is where our personal testimony stands. We have done a lot of good things, we have made a lot of mistakes, we have encountered a lot of enemies— but we are still here. As it says in Revelation we have been found to be “overcomers”. Our salvation is in Jesus Christ and we get over things. “To him who overcomes (comes over)…many great promises including “I will give authority over the nations.” (Rev.2:26) There are the rewards of “enduring to the end”. Included in that is getting over your own failings. Do you see how David was especially good at that? It is a big key.
BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.” (v.13) With this what is called BOOK ONE of the Psalms ends. Tomorrow BOOK TWO and a cry for the God of Revival is introduced to us.
Written by: Johnny Enlow
Featured Image by chris ganser on Unsplash
67 DAY COUNTDOWN SERIES
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The 67 Day Countdown Series is brought to you by Johnny and Elizabeth Enlow, founders of Restore7 ministry, as well as international speakers and best-selling authors. Among Johnny’s books are The Seven Mountain Prophecy, The Seven Mountain Mantle, Rainbow God, The Seven Mountain Renaissance, Becoming A Superhero, and RISE. Elizabeth serves as CEO and penned Rainbow God: The Seven Colors of Love and God in Every Season.
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