A devotion of Psalm 109:21-31.
21 But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
The Hebrew title used here is Adonai Jehovah – the firm, strong Master, the self-existing one, I Am. He so reveres and honors this name and helps us for it’s sake. As we confess our sin and bow before him in reverence, we are helped. Our deliverance depends on his goodness – and O, there is plenty of it. Where we are poor and needy and hurting, and there is grace to blanket us in comfort and peace.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.
25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.
Anxiety, grief, and distress wreak havoc on the emotions and on the body. They zap our appetite and derail the nutrients we need to sustain our very lives. They promote inflammation and disease and dry out our bones and our muscles. Self-care falls by the wayside and we slowly become a shadow of who we were. We see it and those around us do too. Our spirit fades and we become increasingly lifeless. Those around us flick us off as we appear unhuman and therefore as dispensable and annoying as a bug. We are pelted with derision and become a byword.
26 Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand, that you, Lord, have done it.
28 While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice.
29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
God becomes our help as the hymn says:
O God, our help in ages past our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home.
Beneath the shadow of the Thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure,
Sufficient is thine arm alone and our defense is sure.
Bing Crosby
God’s deliverance is his sure sign of approval of us – even when we don’t deserve it. His mercy and faithfulness defend us and break through for us. He is our flag and his activity in our life advertises him and his power. He boasts in us as he shows himself strong. He renders our enemies curses null and void as he floods blessings over us. He turns against their proud faces and they melt, covered in disgrace and shame.
30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
As we witness and receive this approval, our mouths pour out praise. As he pours his blessings into us, we breathe out gratitude and adoration in praise. We seek out and delight along with others he has blessed. We bless and praise him. God becomes our right-hand man. He proudly stands beside us. Where we have been needy he cloaks us in dignity and honor. He is not ashamed or embarrassed to be seen or associated with us. Indeed, he fondly places his arm around our shoulder and parades us around those he loves.
