As for Me, I am Poor and Needy
"As for me, I am poor and needy." Yes, this is who we are. We're poor and needy people, desperate in every way for the help that only Jesus gives. And even though Jesus says in Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Sometimes it's hard--really hard--to lift our gaze, look up to Jesus and forward to heaven, when our hearts are weighed down. To believe that being poor in spirit is a good thing simply because Jesus says it is. To trust in a promise we can't see. Yet whether we confess our general depravity or a particular incidence of the sin of self-sufficiency, when we acknowledge our spiritual poverty, we invite the help of the One who reigns in heaven.
"But the LORD takes thought for me." Oh, let our hearts pause at these breath-taking, beautiful words! This name, "the LORD," reveals God's character and reputation, reminding us of all that he is and does. This God takes thought for us. For me and for you. This sovereign, powerful, loving, faithful God thinks of us, the poor and needy ones. And he doesn't stop there, but he also acts on our behalf. We know this because even when we were "dead in our trespasses and sins," this God was "rich in mercy," making "us alive together with Christ" (Eph. 2:1, 4-5).
"You are my help and my deliverer." Whatever our particular struggle is and whatever face our enemy wears, it would be vain to put our hope in anyone but Jesus. This exclusive "You," not any other or anything else, rules out other hopes and deliverers we might be tempted to put our trust in, such as money or possessions, health or doctors or medicine, degrees or job security, or even relationships. "From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD" (Ps. 121:1-2). And as Christians, we have hope of deliverance from our greatest enemy, death, because Jesus already secured victory over the grave. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that the war has already been won. These skirmishes we find ourselves in? That's all they are. But the war has been won, and our greatest enemy is defeated. Surely God can help and deliver us in our present circumstances.
"Do not delay, O my God!" Finally this cry, "Now! We need you in this momentary, passing millisecond. We need to know Your presence, care, and comfort; we need your steadfast love and faithfulness." This prayer indicates a heart turned towards God in its poverty; one that acknowledges God as its Helper and Deliverer. The cry of this heart is like that voiced in Rev. 22:20, "Come, Lord Jesus!" And while we ask God to come to us, the passage in Revelation turns around the invitation, inviting us to come to Him:
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price" (Rev. 22:17).
So to all the poor and needy, let's go together to the One who takes thought for us, the only One who offers true help and deliverance, the One who at the right time sent Jesus to come and rescue us.
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