"I Am Poor and Needy!"

Psalm 70:5 NLT

“But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O LORD, do not delay.”

These words make me uncomfortable: “I am poor and needy.” As a Christian man of God, the last state I want to be in is poor and needy. Not only is it an uncomfortable position to be in, but it is also not socially praised. 

But isn’t it incredible how Jesus often turns the values of modern culture on their head? He says, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mat. 5:3). To be in a place of brokenness and dependence upon God is a very healthy thing! 

The challenge for us now is this: when we are in a state of weakness, can we see that as a place of strength? When everything is going wrong, can we rejoice in the expectation of God’s blessing? When we journey through the dark valley, can we count ourselves as prosperous as when we’re on the mountaintop? 

Help us and deliver us, for we are weak, O Lord! But because you are our Helper and our Savior, we can count ourselves strong and heirs of your Kingdom!

All praise, all glory, all honor be to God forever in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! Amen and Amen!

"Lord, I Am Overwhelmed!"

 

Psalm 69:1-3 NLT

“Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.”

I think I relate to this one a little too closely. And perhaps you do too? As a follower of Christ, a beautiful truth to rest on is that desperation is not a bad place to be. David was in a place of desperation. So were many figures in the Bible, including Jesus Himself. The author of Hebrews writes, “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death” (5:7). It’s a precious thing to be in a place where the only one who can save me is God.

But I often wonder: Why doesn’t God just save me right away? Why does He let me struggle, stumble, and cry? 

What I don’t see is that as I am struggling, God is sustaining me and loving me at the same time. Every day of my desperation, God is pouring out his kindness upon me, so that when I am finally lifted up, I can declare the goodness of Him who was with me on the journey. 

And make no mistake: we will be lifted up. Just as Joseph was lifted from the pit. Just as David was rescued from Saul. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead! The author of Hebrews continues in the same verse about Jesus, “And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.” God will never be unfaithful to His children! 

But while we are in the pit, let us take heart. It is not bad to be struggling. It is not bad to be lost. God is near to us. He is changing us. He is teaching us. He will not be late in rescuing us. And until He does, let us hold on another day in faith, offering up to Him a precious sacrifice of praise. Let us praise Him even while we are caught in the mire, because our circumstances don't change the everlasting reality of His love toward us!

All praise, all glory, all honor be to God forever in the name of Jesus of Nazareth! Amen and Amen!