Nothing Really Changes
Opening Prayer
Help me, Lord, to worship and praise You today with a sincere heart so that You are truly pleased.
Read PSALM 41:1-13
[1] For the director of music. A psalm of David. 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. [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. [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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who is "blessed" here and in what ways?This psalm is written by a man in trouble, but it ends in praise (13). Even in his troubles, David is outward-looking (1-3). Unlike Job, David knows he has sinned against God (4), but he does not despair (11-13). Both men had the goodness of God undergirding their lives. That is true for you and for everyone who puts their faith firmly in Jesus Christ. Do remember that David and Job did not always feel God was with them, nor will we. But God is always working for our good behind the scenes of our lives (Rom. 8:28).
Think about the suffering of David and Job. It was physical (8) as well as emotional (9). Their words and experiences often point us to Jesus. Verse 9 probably refers to David’s trusted colleague, Ahithophel (2 Sam. 17:23). He had a sad end (he hanged himself), an anticipation of someone else in the experience of Jesus (John 13:18; Matt. 27:5). Any suffering we go through as Christians can be a back alley to bitterness or a highway to praise. Only by God’s grace can we turn defeat into deliverance.
Apply
Think back over what you have learned from Job so far. Has it changed your attitude toward yourself and others?
Closing prayer
Lord, I may not always feel Your presence, but I know that You are always with me. I thank You for that.
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