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BLESSED IS HE WHO CONSIDERS THE POOR

Text: Psalm 41
29 July 2012

(I) THE BLESSING THAT COMES WHEN WE SHOW PRACTICAL CONCERN FOR THE POOR

“Blessed is he who considers the poor” Psalm 41:1

1. Regard for the poor

2. A Biblical basis for practical concern for the poor

a) Showing concern to a poor brother

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother” Deuteronomy 15:7

b) To open our hands wide to them

“For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’ ” Deuteronomy 15:11

3. It is in giving that we will be blessed

a) Not that we give in order to receive riches

b) Our greater concern is the needs of the poor

c) We should practically care for the poor

d) In doing so, we would be blessed on this earth

“And he will be blessed on the earth” Psalm 41:2

(II) THE PROMISE OF GOD’S BLESSINGS

1. Deliverance

“The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” Psalm 41:1

2. Preservation

“The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.” Psalm 41:2

3. Strength in sickness

“The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.” Psalm 41:3

(III) THE PRAYER FOR GOD’S BLESSING OF MERCY

1. Initial prayer for mercy

“I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” Psalm 41:4

2. Subsequent prayer for mercy

“But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.” Psalm 41:10

3. Answer to our prayers

“By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.” Psalm 41:11

(IV) THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE LORD JESUS…”MORE BLESSED TO GIVE”

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

1. From the agrapha…the unwritten words of the Lord Jesus

2. To support the weak

3. The blessing is in giving

4. More blessed to give than to receive