Hope for the Poor And Needy

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 109:21–29 (ESV)

²¹ But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me! ²² For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me. ²³ I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. ²⁴ My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat. ²⁵ I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads. ²⁶ Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! ²⁷ Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it! ²⁸ Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad! ²⁹ May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!

Understanding and Applying the Word

In these verses we see David’s hope. His trust is in God, who he calls “God my Lord” in verse 21. The titles that he uses reflect on God’s sovereign rule over all. While David is “poor and needy” (a description of his weakness), God is in control and full of steadfast love towards David.

What are you going through? What is it that you are facing that makes you feel weak and powerless to overcome? David sought the Lord in prayer and trusted that the sovereign One would be faithful to him. You and I can rest in the truth that our God is in control and that he loves his people. Let us call out to him and trust him. We may be weak, but he is all-powerful.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

He Loved to Curse

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 109:16–20 (ESV)

¹⁶ For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death. ¹⁷ He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him! ¹⁸ He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones! ¹⁹ May it be like a garment that he wraps around him, like a belt that he puts on every day! ²⁰ May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, of those who speak evil against my life!

Understanding and Applying the Word

David continues to pray for God to take action against his enemy. In these verses, he calls for the enemy to have curses fall upon him. Why? Because David’s enemy is one who loved to curse others. It would be fitting for such to happen to him.

This psalm is hard for us to understand if we cannot accept that God is a just God and calls for us to long for justice as well. David’s prayer reflects that he longs for justice. He desires that the one who is evil will be repaid with evil. An important thing to note in this psalm is that David leaves justice in the hands of the all-knowing and perfectly just God. It is ultimately God who knows when and how to judge a person. It is also God who may choose to extend his grace. David calls for justice and leaves it in God’s hands. This is what we are called to do as well, as Paul states in Romans 12:19:

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

I Give Myself to Prayer

Posted on October 13, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 109:1–5 (ESV)

¹ Be not silent, O God of my praise! ² For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. ³ They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. ⁴ In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. ⁵ So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Here, we once again read a psalm of David. In these opening verses, David’s enemies are speaking against him with lies and words of hate. How does David respond? In verse 4 he tells us. He prays for his enemies.

Have you ever had someone accuse you unfairly? Have you ever had someone lie about you? Has anyone ever spoken unkind or even hateful things to you? How did you respond? Most of us have probably responded with our own nasty words towards our enemies. But why not pray for our enemies? Why not pray that God would work in their hearts and lives to soften them? Why not pray that God would remove the wall of hostility and create a friendship? This is what David did. And this is what we are called to do as well. Let us be quick to pray for our enemies as we seek to repay evil with good.

He Raises Up the Needy

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Tim Farley

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Reading the Word

Psalm 107:33–43 (ESV)

³³ He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, ³⁴ a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. ³⁵ He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. ³⁶ And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; ³⁷ they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. ³⁸ By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. ³⁹ When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, ⁴⁰ he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; ⁴¹ but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. ⁴² The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. ⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Understanding and Applying the Word

In these final verse of Psalm 107 we read of how God deals with two contrasting groups of people. Those who are evil are punished for their ways. Those who are needy and oppressed find God ready to save.

God is a God of steadfast love. He stands ready to show his grace and mercy to those who call out to him. We see his love on display in its greatest way in the cross of Calvary. God sent his own Son into the world to suffer and die for our salvation and all who call out to Christ in faith will be saved. Consider God’s great love and grace towards us And let us respond in thanksgiving and praise.

The Storms of Life

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Tim Farley

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Reading the Word

Psalm 107:23–32 (ESV)

²³ Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; ²⁴ they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. ²⁵ For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. ²⁶ They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; ²⁷ they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. ²⁸ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. ²⁹ He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. ³⁰ Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. ³¹ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! ³² Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Understanding and Applying the Word

This psalm calls for different groups to give thanks to God. In the verses for today, we read of those who have found themselves caught in the raging storms upon the sea. When their lives seemed to be at the end they cried out to God for help and he saved them.

It is often in the darkest times of our lives that we call out to God. In times of trouble, even those who are not concerned about God or the Bible will often pray and ask for God to save them from their troubles. In his grace, God often gives us the deliverance that we desire. However, how often do we stop to give thanks to God for such grace towards us? Often, as soon as the danger has passed, so has our focus on God. Let us not forget the things that God has done for us, but let us praise him in thanksgiving and tell of his goodness to everyone.

The Day of My Distress

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Tim Farley

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Reading the Word

Psalm 102:1–11 (ESV)

¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you! ² Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! ³ For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. ⁴ My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. ⁵ Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh. ⁶ I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; ⁷ I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. ⁸ All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse. ⁹ For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink, ¹⁰ because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. ¹¹ My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

Understanding and Applying the Word

This psalm has historically been classified as a penitential psalm, which is a psalm of confession of sin. It is interesting because the psalm never mentions a confession of sin. There is lament over the circumstances the writer is facing and a call for relief, but there is no mention of sin as the cause. The reason(s) for the psalmist’s troubles are unmentioned.

This psalm does help us as we face difficulties in our own lives. We often suffer and hurt and wonder why things are the way they are. We call out to God and wonder if he is listening because he does not seem to answer. If you have ever felt that way, the words of Psalm 102 will resonate with you. As we continue reading the rest of the verses tomorrow, we will see that God is always there and that we can find our hope in him. We may not have all of the answers to our “Why?” questions, but we do know the answers to our troubles are in the sovereign hands of God.

A King Who Answers Prayer

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 99:6–9 (ESV)

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the Lord, and he answered them. ⁷ In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them. ⁸ O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings. ⁹ Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!

Understanding and Applying the Word

The psalm names Moses, Aaron, and Samuel as three former priest in Israel. Moses was not specifically mentioned as a priest in Scripture, but he was from the tribe of Levi. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest. Samuel was the last judge of Israel and functioned as a priest in his ministry.

What do we learn from these men from the Old Testament? They prayed to God and God answered them. But not only did they pray, they were obedient to the word of God (v. 7). We too can pray and know that God hears and listens, but we too must be obedient to God’s word. He is forgiving, but God also punishes sin (v. 8). God is King over all of the earth. He is worthy of our worship and full obedience.

I Will Show Him My Salvation

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Tim Farley

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Reading the Word

Psalm 91:14–16 (ESV)

¹⁴ “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. ¹⁵ When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Understanding and Applying the Word

As we read the end of this psalm, we read of God’s promises to the psalmist. We are first told that this is one who holds fast to God in love (i.e. “with all his heart”), knows God’s name, and calls on God. In response, God promises to deliver, protect, answer, be with, rescue, honor, satisfy with long life, and show him salvation.

As we read these promises of God, know that these are the promises that God makes with all who call out to God in faith. He will rescue us and give us eternal life. God is a God of grace and he offers salvation to all who will trust in him. Seek him today with all your heart and he will answer you.

Establish the Work of Our Hands

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Tim Farley

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Thank you for reading Shaped by the Word, a daily Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do include a suggested reading from Scripture. Please be sure to subscribe to this page so you can read along with us each day. We are currently reading through the Book of Psalms.

Reading the Word

Psalm 90:13–17 (ESV)

¹³ Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! ¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. ¹⁵ Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. ¹⁶ Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. ¹⁷ Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

How Long, O Lord?

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Tim Farley

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Reading the Word

Psalm 89:46–52 (ESV)

⁴⁶ How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? ⁴⁷ Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man! ⁴⁸ What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah ⁴⁹ Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? ⁵⁰ Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations, ⁵¹ with which your enemies mock, O Lord, with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed. ⁵² Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.

Understanding and Applying the Word

“How long, O Lord?” These are the words that the psalmist asks as we near the end of Psalm 89. The writer is wondering when God will fulfill his promises to his people. When will he provide a king from the line of David and defeat the enemies of Israel? It seems as though God has forgotten.

The way God chooses to fulfill his plans and purposes is not always evident to us. At times, we may be left wondering what God is doing or if he is doing anything at all. We may cry out with the psalmist, “How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?”

Notice that the author of Psalm 89 continued to put his hopes in God’s promises. He may not have understood how they would be fulfilled, but he waited for them. We know from the rest of Scripture that God did keep his promises by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. We have the benefit of knowing with greater clarity how God is working to redeem the world from sin, so let us continue to trust in him even when we do not always understand our circumstances or trials. Blessed be the Lord forever!

Shaped by the Word

A Bible Reading Devotional

Tag Archives: Prayer

Hope for the Poor And Needy

He Loved to Curse

I Give Myself to Prayer

He Raises Up the Needy

The Storms of Life

The Day of My Distress

A King Who Answers Prayer

I Will Show Him My Salvation

Establish the Work of Our Hands

How Long, O Lord?

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