Psalm 41: Difficulties to Doxology

​Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; 2 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. 3 The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. 4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; 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 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. 7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. 8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” 9 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.
 
Meditation
The promises opening today’s Psalm are inviting- Deliverance from trouble, protection, life, blessed land, and health (1-3). Contrary to contemporary prosperity theology, these promises are God’s covenant promises (Leviticus 26:1-13) and are discovered through painful providence by all who trust Him and His promises.  
 
David petitioned God from pain and poverty, pleading for grace (4, 10). David had a poverty of spirit, knowing he needed forgiveness for sin (4). David had a poverty of hope and security, knowing he needed rescue from both enemies and friends who betrayed him (5-9). David’s difficulties lead to doxology (13) because David trusted God and His promises.
 
Christians are secure in God’s covenant care through Christ’s finished work, stewarding pain and problems to push us to trust God. Jesus, though He was rich, for our sake became poor so that through His poverty we may become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9) in hope, security, and love. Jesus used this Psalm (verse 9) the night He was betrayed (Matthew 26:21-25), so that when His people are betrayed in a broken world we can turn to Him in faith to know His covenant blessings. 
 
Jesus Christ invites God’s people to experience the riches of God’s covenant promises. When sinning, in Christ we can repent and receive forgiveness. When overwhelmed by enemies, we know Christ was delivered in the hands of enemies so we can be free- God will avenge and repay (Romans 12:19). When betrayed, we turn to Christ’s acceptance. 

Difficulties are transformed to doxology when believers determine to trust Jesus and His promises.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially God’s covenant promises delivered through the difficulties David experienced?
 
-Where do you turn (other than God) when you experience the pain and problems of the world? How is that working for you?
 
-How does the work of Jesus secure you to turn to the Lord for strength in seasons of struggle? Where (specifically) do you need to apply this opportunity?
 
 
Key Verse
2 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.