READ Psalm 41:1–4. 1 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.”
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL. To “have regard for the weak” (verse 1) means giving sustained reflection to the poor. This is far more than donating to charity. The call is to think hard about what keeps the poor down and work to help them. Those who do this will be blessed—spiritual health and favor will come to them. When they sin they get mercy as they have shown mercy (verse 4). This also works in reverse. It is because we have received radical spiritual generosity that we can be radically generous with those in need (Matthew 18:28–33; 2 Corinthians 8:7–9). A sign that I have been saved by grace is that I care about the poor. Do I have that sign?
Prayer: Lord, my culture and my heart tell me that it is wholly due to my hard work that I am not poor. If I believe that lie, I will be ungenerous. I praise you that you are a God with a heart for the poor. Give me the same kind of heart. Amen.