Psalm 41 -- Taking A Spiritual Inventory During Difficulty

My commentary says, “When we find ourselves in difficulty, we may use this psalm to take an inventory of our spiritual condition by asking and answering four questions:

First, Integrity:  How do we treat others?  Before we can claim God’s promises, we must examine our own hearts to see if we have sincerely met the conditions the Lord has laid down.

Second, Treachery:  How do others treat us?  It wasn’t enough that David was sick in bed, but he also had to deal with treachery among his own family and friends … but David was gifted at reading people and knew the truth.

Third, Mercy:  How does God treat us?  God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we do deserve, and God in His grace gives us what we don’t deserve, and He does this because of Jesus Christ His Son who died for us on the cross … More than anything else, David wanted to please God.

Fourth, Glory:  How do we treat God?  The main thing in our lives must be the eternal praise and glory of the Lord.  ‘Hallowed be Thy name’ is the first request in the Disciple’s Prayer, and it governs all the other requests.’”

David prayed for mercy and healing and admitted that he had sinned against God.  Because of his repentance, he could say, as we can, “I know that You are pleased with me.  Because I am innocent [his sins had been forgiven], You support me and will let me be with You forever.”

That’s what I want, Father.  Help me to have integrity in the way I treat others.  Protect me from the treachery of others, and if they do not see me as You see me, change their views of me.  Thank You also for Your continuing mercy given freely to me, as undeserving of it as I am.  And help me to give You all glory for what You are doing in the lives of my sons and me.  I love You, Father!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford