Psalms 41
Psalms 41:1-13 (NLT)
1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble.
2 The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.
3 The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.
4 “O LORD,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5 But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask.
6 They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.
7 All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst.
8 “He has some fatal disease,” they say. “He will never get out of that bed!”
9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
10 LORD, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back!
11 I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.
12 You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever.
13 Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen!
When the mind is overwhelmed by surrounding circumstances and the perception that favor with God and man is lost, there is a most effective rehearsal of God’s goodness, mercy, and care that will lift the head and secure the heart again in peace. Instead of dwelling on the failures of self and mistreatment from others, encouragement can come from times of faithfulness to love and serve Him that have promise of reward in His presence. Though still in need of mercy, confidence can come from those times of faithfulness to Him and remembering how good it was in His presence. This process of drawing from the good in times of desperation is a most powerful part of His escape route. To remain fixed alone on the dark thoughts is to have no motivation to rise from the pit. But to lift the focus to the place where His love is never lost is to bring a sense of hope that cannot be restrained or contained.