September 9, Help the Weak

Today’s reading: Psalms 41-45

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness” - Psalm 41:1-3.

David outlined a series of blessings not for those who fast and pray, or who do great exploits for God, or who preach great sermons. David saw how God blessed those who helped the weak around them, who were mindful and empathetic of other people’s situations and helped them. Paying attention to others, even when your needs are greater than theirs, is the heart of Christian behavior, because Jesus commanded His people to “love one another.” Paul went on to describe this love more completely when he wrote: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a). Are you consumed with your own needs or those of others? What practical things have you done lately to help those who are weak, especially those not part of your immediate family? What steps can you take to be even more aware and sensitive to the needs of the needy.