May 1st, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

God Cares for the Needy

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Loving Lord, You are the author of my joys and the bearer of my pain. Replenish the reservoirs of my soul with Your power and love.

Read Psalm 9:1-20

[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David. I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. [2] I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. [3] My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. [4] For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. [5] You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. [6] Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. [7] The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. [8] He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. [9] The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. [10] Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. [11] Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. [12] For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. [13] LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, [14] that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation. [15] The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. [16] The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. [17] The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. [18] But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. [19] Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. [20] Strike them with terror, LORD; let the nations know they are only mortal.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

“Leave it all in the hands that were wounded for you” (Elisabeth Elliot, 1926-2015). This psalm reminds us that God does care for the needy.

Think Further

When you read the newspapers, watch the news or speak to someone who is oppressed, you may feel that God does not care about the needy or do anything about the tyrants and bullies who appear to have their way in the world. Amid such powerful forces, we may wonder where God is and whether he even knows what is happening. This psalm gives deep reassurance that God does indeed know and care (see 1 Pet. 3:12).

First, God will outlast everything (7), including his enemies and all wicked forces. Second, he will rule firmly (4,7). Third, he will judge righteously (4,8). Therefore, our ultimate hope is in him, our refuge and stronghold (9). The needy can seek justice and sustenance from him, for just as he never ignores injustice, he never ignores the needy (10,12,18). Evil may appear to reign today, but tomorrow God will remove all evil. He is our final court of appeal; we can trust him to mete out justice and establish his rule over all. The wicked will not be allowed to triumph (19), for God is the ultimate Judge and Victor.

The continuing wickedness around us may trouble us deeply, but we must remember who God is: he is the eternal King and coming Judge. At times, we may feel overwhelmed by the forces of evil in our world. Although they may appear invincible, Scripture reminds us, “they are only mortal” (20). Even the most powerful must stand before the Judge (Rom. 14:11-12). We can trust God and pray to him in our distress, for he will never ignore our cries for mercy and help. “In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psa. 56:11).

Apply

God does not ignore the needy and neither must we. Consider those in need around you and consider how you can attend to them with God’s love and justice.

Closing prayer

Eternal King and Judge, Your very title reassures me and strengthens my resolve. What a great God I worship and serve!

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store