LORD’S DAY, AUGUST 12
Psalm 41:1-13
Galatians 2:10

“… God is angry with
the wicked every day.”

“CHARITY BRINGS SHOWERS OF BENIGNITY”

Read Proverbs 19:17, Solomon’s restatement of the opening verse of Psalm 41. When a man is tender-hearted to the needy, God will help him when he in turn is in want. David speaks from experience. When Saul massacred the eighty-five priests of Nob, there was only one Abiathar who escaped. When Abiathar sought shelter with David, he welcomed him warmly (1 Sam 22:23). When Absalom rebelled against his father David, it was Abiathar’s son, Jonathan, and another, who relayed Absalom’s plot to the king. One good turn deserves another, but it is God who is David’s Deliverer in time of trouble.

David is disabled not only by rebellion, but also by sickness. And he is not slow to search his own soul. He confesses his sin to God, that he might be cleansed. Unless one is right with God and man, one cannot stand in a day of trial and judgment. Self-examination is a good spiritual exercise. God defends David against traitors in his own kingdom. Psalm 41:9 might refer to his chief counsellor Ahithophel. Treachery is an “hateful crime, which, as we commonly say, can never be expiated, and from which there is no possibility of escape” (Calvin). Never sell your leader!

When David prays for recovery from sickness that he might deal with the traitors (Ps 41:10), he “was not as one of the common people, but a king appointed by God, and invested with authority …. It is not from an impulse of the flesh, but in virtue of the nature of his office, that he is led to denounce against his enemies the punishment which they had merited” (Calvin). But God’s justice is swifter than a human sovereign’s. Ahithophel was speedily dispatched by his own hands. (Read Psalm 7:11, 16.)

In all his trials David ended triumphant over all his enemies. His throne is established forever because of his integrity he is upheld by God. Thus he is ever eloquent to give praise to his God and Saviour.

THOUGHT: Have I ever sold my leader?
PRAYER: Help me to be a loyal servant to Thee, like King David.