God thinks of the needy! – Sis. Stella Dhinakaran

“But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer;  you are my God, do not delay.” (Psalm 40:17)
Sometimes trials will continuously come one after the other in this life on earth. It may seem that the face of the Lord is hidden from us and in such times, nobody will come forward to help us. Instead, they will speak only hurting and meaningless words and only cause us more grief. David went through this path of affliction. He says about his experience, “The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Let us also meditate on this verse, hold on to it with steadfast faith and receive blessing and honour. The Psalmist was a shepherd boy taking care of the sheep. His family members sent him to care for the sheep while his brothers were in the army. May be there were days when he felt he was missing out on so many good things that his brothers were enjoying. But God knew his heart. God himself trained him by sending a bear and a lion while tending the sheep and gave him strength to tear them and save his sheep from them. God was with him in his lowly state.

Even after a few years of my marriage, I could not bear a child and had to pass through a terrible path of affliction. Every day, I prayed with faith saying, “I am poor and needy. Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer” (Psalm 40:17). As I continued to recite this prayer every day, the Lord who seemed to hide His face, revealed Himself. He filled me with His divine grace and arose for my help. He destroyed the evil designs of the enemy and gave me a beautiful baby boy and comforted me. I vowed to the Lord, “I will offer him to You”. And this day the Lord has made him His servant as I had vowed to Him earlier. By doing this, the Lord has helped me and redeemed me from my affliction. He will also give you this very same blessing today. So hold fast to Him, with steadfast faith.

As we see in the life of David, God was with him in all his endeavours. God sent prophet Samuel to anoint him as king. But God took many years to fulfil His calling. King David had to run for his life many times. Through it all, God was moulding him for the greater blessings He had in store for him. That is why he says, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high” (Psalm 3:3). What a wonderful experience. Unless we go through shame and affliction we cannot get prepared for the glorious things God has for us. May be you are going through shame and sorrow right now! Don’t despair my friend. God has great plans for your life. The Psalmist writes, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17). Yes, God’s thoughts toward us are for our peace. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). So cheer up! You will get through this.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father!

Look upon me too. Be the hill from whence comes my help and deliver me from all my afflictions and oppressions. Fill me with Your divine grace. Help me to be patient in my affliction knowing that Your plans are for my good and to bring glory to Your name. Lift my head and bring me honour. I humble myself under Your hand.

In Your awesome name I pray, O Father, Amen.