In Need of Fresh Mercies

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Scripture

Psalm 40:17     As for me, I am poor and needy,
        but the Lord takes thought for me.
    You are my help and my deliverer;
        do not delay, O my God.

Observation

David was keenly aware of his daily need for God. While he may have had strength for yesterday, he was in great need for fresh mercies and renewal. He recognized his poverty and need, which made him ever dependent upon God.

Jesus would later preach, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Poverty and need are daily reminders to place our eyes on God who renews us day after day as our provider. It is this sense of dependency, regularly revisited, that allows us to draw upon the kingdom of heaven. Fresh mercies come like manna from heaven to the one who is depending on God.

Application

The prayer is for today — that today God will deliver and not delay. An every-day, every-moment dependence upon the Lord is the life that David lives. Matthew Henry sums up David’s thought; “the best saints see themselves undone, unless continually preserved by the grace of God.”

This is where we must find ourselves every morning. We need to be in a new, fresh and vital relationship with our Lord on a daily basis. If we don’t recognize how poor and needy we might be, we will miss out on all that God has in store for his kingdom work. We will be too preoccupied with the things of our own making.

God's grace preserves us when we recognize our need for dependence upon him. Isaac Watts the great hymnwriter was moved by this Psalm and penned the following words of comfort.

When I ‘m afflicted, poor, and low,
    And light and peace depart,
    My God beholds my heavy woe,
    And bears me on his heart. (Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts)

Take it all to the Lord today. Place the burdens and the needs at his feet and allow him to make his mercies new and fresh again, today, tomorrow and every day.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the reminder to have a fresh and vital relationship with you on a daily basis.  Amen.

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