December 7 Advent Devotional
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.” – Psalm 40:17
I picked the last verse of this particular psalm because it forms a powerful conclusion. In the preceding verse, the psalmist reminds the hearer to “rejoice” and “be glad,” but in the next verse, the psalmist is needy. How can the psalmist be glad in the midst of being “poor and needy?”
I believe the psalmist is able to distinguish between current state and an enduring, steadfast state. The psalmist turns to God in this time of neediness, knowing that troubles are not caused by God. Rather, God is the source of refuge in the midst of adversity, which is something we will all experience at times.
Nowhere in Scripture does it promise we will not endure struggles or hardship. However, Scripture makes it clear that God promises to be with us.
And God fulfilled that promise, choosing to come into our world not as a powerful giant with a cape or large biceps, but as a baby that grew to experience the same emotions you and I feel. This same baby ultimately lived a life that no one could accuse of including a silver spoon.
When I read the psalmist say, “But the Lord takes thought for me,” it’s humbling. God has taken thought for me, thousands of years later. Remember these words from 1 Peter: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live by righteousness, by his wounds you have been healed.”
Dear God, we give you thanks for being with us, even as we go through times of neediness in various ways. Knowing there is so much need in this world, O God, empower us to be the disciples you call us into being, extending our hands and ears to those who truly are needy and poor this day. May we be the blessing to others that you challenge us into becoming this day and beyond. Amen
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