The Joy of Poor and Needy

Psalm 70, 71, 77, 83, 86
 
Psalm 70:4-5 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” 5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay.
 
DAVID opens this psalm praying God would humiliate and put to shame those who pursue him. Then in contrast he prays for them: “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.”
   This is a good way to pray for your enemies and a good way to live. What a profound change comes to the hearts of those who pursue God! He is the only source of our joy, a true delight in knowing, “God is great!”.  Why would we waste time challenging people who disagree with us? When has it been a benefit to win an argument – if that is even possible – or to criticize those who disagree with you? There is never resolution when enemies pridefully pursue each other.
   But what happens if the enemies become humble to pursue God? Might they see themselves differently? Is it possible in the pursuit of God they see others as God’s own and learn the amazing truth: “God is great!” Would they understand he is “my helper, my savior.” What does that do for one’s soul?
   Such knowledge creates joyful hearts and casts away division. We don’t have to worry about being “great” because God is. Our time is not spent on elevating ourselves or making others small, but we engage with others in prayer, mercy, love and forgiveness.  
   When David confessed, “But I am poor and needy.” he was telling his LORD, “I do not possess what I need for a true relationship with you. I need you. I can’t get through life alone. To have true joy in you is the only worthwhile thing to know.”
   Yes, “joy” is the unwavering knowledge you belong to the great God in all circumstances. Regardless of your situation you know the sovereign LORD has called you to be his own. Neither Saul nor Absalom had any reason to destroy David. Their pride took them to destruction. David knew his own pride, too, had nearly destroyed his kingship and legacy several times. As we sometimes wonder about David’s many faults, God had given this man a heart to understand the shame of his sins. David knew how to pursue God’s righteousness. David understood humble repentance. From this humility came David’s true understanding that God alone is the only one to pursue. David knew in his heart he belonged to God regardless of what his enemies did to him.