Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have surrounded me. (Psalm 40:11-12)
In the previous devotion, David was very adamant about his outspokenness in regard to his faith in the Lord. He said, “I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.” It would seem that David was quick to share with others his testimony of the Lord’s goodness to him. It would also seem that David desired to remind the Lord of his willingness to declare “the good news of righteousness” (not that the Lord had somehow overlooked it) especially considering that countless evils were surrounding him at that point. In other words, David had not withheld his praises of the Lord and was desirous that, in return, the Lord would not withhold His compassion from him.
This is not to suggest that we should do good in order to get something good; or that we can bargain with God simply because we have done what we are supposed to do. On the other hand, it is a fact that we will reap what we have sown; if one sows good seed, one should expect it to produce good fruit. Likewise, if one sows sparingly, he will also reap sparingly; if one sows bountifully, he will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). And so, if one shows compassion and mercy to our fellowman, it is wrong for us to believe that God will treat us with compassion and mercy? I think not!
It is written, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12). In other words, if we do today as we are instructed — live righteously which includes exhibiting mercy to others — in due time what we have sown will bear its intended fruit. In the appropriate season, the Lord will cause His righteousness (and mercy) to rain down upon us. Most likely it will come in the day when we need it the most, in a time similar to what David described — when innumerable evils surround me. All of us must face difficulty but none of us have to face it alone and ill-equipped. If we do today what we know should be done, we have the promise that the Lord will give us relief in the day of adversity.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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