PS 140:12-13 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name
and the upright will live before you.

It has always interested me that, though Book 1 of Psalms (1-41) is almost entirely Psalms written by David, they are also scattered throughout the whole book, and here toward the end we find another group of them. This particular Psalm makes some people uncomfort­able because of the things David prays will happen to “the wicked,” but that is simply evidence that David was as human as the rest of us. His conclusion in these last two verses, however, shows that he had a genuine relationship with God and understood His character. In verse 12 the NIV says “poor” and “needy,” while the Japanese says “troubled” and “poor.” We miss truth when we equate finances with blessing. Many people have written on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, pointing out that “poor” there doesn’t equate with a lack of finances, but that’s something to remember for the rest of the Bible as well. The point here is that David knows from experience that God is on the side of those who need Him and know it, who cry out to Him. David also knows that there are rewards for those who recognize their dependence on God and give Him the thanks and praise He deserves. Because contemporary English assigns two meanings to “live,” (“be alive” and “have residence”) we can easily miss something important in the last line. A better translation would be, “The upright dwell before you.” One of the unique things about the Bible, in contrast to the “holy books” of every other religion, is that it speaks of human beings having genuine, continuing fellowship with their Creator. That is certainly a prize worth aiming for, and it is the inheritance of everyone who will receive it by faith. (1 Peter 1:3-5 and many more)

I am commissioned to call people into the fellowship with God that is available to them, but I am totally dependent on God in doing so. To human intellect, it is absurd that the Creator would even desire such fellowship. It takes a revelation of God’s character, of His love and grace and mercy, as well as His holiness and power, to be able to appropriate all that He has done for us in Christ. I am to express those things in the words God supplies and I am to demonstrate them in my own life, but I have no power in myself to get them through to people. However, it is not a hopeless task, because the Holy Spirit can and will use even my imperfection to open people’s hearts and draw them to the Savior. I need to remember that my residence is in the presence of God, and rejoice.

Father, You woke me this morning with the message You want communicated to Your people on Sunday. Guide me in getting that outline written out in the way You desire. I pray that I would be totally available as Your instrument, so that Your Word through me may accomplish everything for which You send it. May we see rich fruit in hearts and lives, immediately and in the years to come, so that the Body of Christ may be built up, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!