Psalm 41 (Listen)

41:1   Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
    In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him;
  the LORD protects him and keeps him alive;
    he is called blessed in the land;
    you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
  The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;
    in his illness you restore him to full health.
  As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me;
    heal me, for I have sinned against you!”
  My enemies say of me in malice,
    “When will he die, and his name perish?”
  And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,
    while his heart gathers iniquity;
    when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
  All who hate me whisper together about me;
    they imagine the worst for me.
  They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him;
    he will not rise again from where he lies.”
  Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
    who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
10   But you, O LORD, be gracious to me,
    and raise me up, that I may repay them!
11   By this I know that you delight in me:
    my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.
12   But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
    and set me in your presence forever.
13   Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
      Amen and Amen.




Devotional:

Happy is one who is considerate of the poor; the LORD will save him in a day of adversity. The LORD will keep him and preserve him; he will be blessed in the land. You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies. (Psalm 41:1-2 CSB). 

These verses promise blessing for those who care for the poor. Jesus himself said that whatever you do for the least of these, you do for him (Matthew 25:40). So it makes sense that he would bless and protect those who help the poor. In James 1:27 we read, “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Part of our integrity as followers of Jesus is to do what his Word says (see Psalm 41:12). What is one step you can take today to better serve those in need locally, regionally, nationally or globally? 

Pray it: Father, thank you for your care for those who are poor and in need. Help me to show the same care, doing so in your name and being a vessel through which you show your care and love for my neighbor in need. Amen.

Share it: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.