God Promises Mercy to the Merciful

​ Psalms 41:1-4 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. 3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. 4 I said, “O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
 
EVEN though this scripture uses “he” and “him”, David was praying for himself. David prayed for God’s mercy to deliver him from sickness after he had survived Absalom’s rebellion. David prayed the LORD would protect him from “friends” within his court who would betray him. This had happened in the rebellion. One of his friends, Ahithophel, betrayed him, and then hanged himself (2 Samuel 16:20-17:3,23) V 9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Jesus, the Living Word, used this scripture when he spoke of Judas’ betrayal: John 13:18 But this fulfills the Scripture that says, “The one who eats my food has turned against me.”
    David expected God to have regard for his life because David had regard for the weak. He believed God would be merciful to him because he had been merciful to others. This was not an empty claim. David’s had shown mercy on King Saul when he could have easily killed the king two times. David was merciful to Saul’s grandson – Jonathan’s son – the crippled Mephibosheth and welcomed him to his table. New kings often killed many relatives of the king they succeeded. There is evidence David was also merciful to the poor in Israel. David was confident that (v 12) in my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.
   We can easily understand that David felt very alone. How difficult it is when you don’t know whom you can trust! This is the seventh time in the first 41 psalms David prays, “Be merciful to me.” He knew God’s mercy from the many times God had saved his life and had led his armies to victory. David knew God’s mercy in his battle with Goliath. God was merciful to protect him from wild bests in the sheep pastures. With great mercy, God forgave David’s most woeful sins. That’s why he could confidently pray in verses 10-11 and13, “But you, O LORD, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”
   Jesus confirmed David’s faith in God’s mercy: Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God commands the Christian to mercy. There is no room for judgment and unforgiveness in the redeemed heart. He has been most merciful to you. Be most merciful to his people.