Closer Day 17 | Psalm 40:11-17
Read: Psalm 40:11-17
11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
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!
Reflect:
We can find rest knowing that God’s mercy and steadfast love is present in times of danger. Not only are they present, but they are also triumphant over the danger. In this Psalm, David acknowledges his poor and needy state, but his poor and needy state does not shake his confidence in the Lord. In the midst of his trouble, he knows the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness preserves him from ultimate danger. When you are in a battle and sense danger, do you rest in the fact that you are preserved by God’s steadfast love and faithfulness? Or do you tend to focus on your inability to win the battle? Today, acknowledge and accept your limitations and be needy for the Lord, who is limitless in power and loves to help His children. Know that He believes you are worth fighting for and will stay by your side regardless of what life throws your way.
Prayer: God, thank you for not seeing me or my battle as a lost cause and for Your steadfast love and mercy towards me. Help me to hold to this truth when the fight comes and causes me to doubt and have fear. Give me the boldness to be desperate for You and to trust more in Your strength rather than focusing on the strength that I lack.
This devotional is part of our Closer: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our hope is that this will assist you in focusing your heart each day. To learn more or to get caught up, click here.