Psalm 41 - People of Integrity

April 25, 2016 Monday Message:

“Anyone who is kind to the poor will be very happy. The LORD will help him when life is difficult.” Psalms 41:1

Psalm 41 finds David ill and not feeling good about life in general. Many people came to visit, but they were just looking for bad things to say, to slander him. Some wanted him to die, so there could be a new king, David’s evil son Absalom.

The parallel here is that Jesus also had an evil friend, who betrayed him at the worst possible time, Judas Iscariot. Jesus lamented using the words of verse 9, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”

But there was a good visitor, the LORD God, who made David well again. God is still on his throne; he looked after David, he looked after Jesus, and he’ll look after you and me. As Christians, we’ve been adopted into the Holy Family, and God has blessed us with all the rights and privileges given to a son or daughter.

God always wins; David was restored, and his enemies could not triumph over him. David’s integrity kept him in God’s presence forever. (Psalm 41:12) No matter our trouble, we too can be restored. People of integrity will remain in the LORD’S presence forvever.

“The LORD protects and preserves those who help the weak. God counts them blessed in their time of trouble.” (from Psalm 41:1-2 NIV)

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10 am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, May 1, 2016, we’ll open up Romans 8, living by the power of the Holy Spirit. See you at church!