“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” (Psalm 41:1-3 NIV)

There are three promises given in the first three verses of Psalm 40 for those who regard the weak. Each one is stated twice. Repetition is often used in Scripture to provide emphasis about something God wants you to understand clearly.

For those who regard the weak

1)    God blesses them – “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak” and “they are counted among the blessed in the land.” (Verse 2).

2)    God protects and preserves them - “The Lord protects and preserves them” and “he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.”

3)    God heals them -“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”

Therefore

“ I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 40:11-13 NIV)

“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Prov. 23:18 ESV)

When Things Look Dark

At times, fearful and discouraging events make the future seem bleak and uncertain. In moments like these, it’s important to step back and see the bigger picture: what we’re experiencing now is only temporary.

Remember who we belong to

As God’s children, our future is secure and full of hope—regardless of how things may appear around us or what we may be going through. During a national crisis, someone asked Billy Graham for his thoughts. He replied, “I’m not worried. I have read the last page of the Bible—and we win!” Another wise person said, “I stopped worrying about what the future holds when I put my trust in the One who holds the future.”

We Are God’s Children

“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3 ESV)

God Is in Control

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

Therefore

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” (Eph. 1:11-12 ESV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom. 15:13 ESV)

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 ESV)

Quote:

“Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.” – John Maxwell

“But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” (Matt. 19:26)

Sometimes you need the impossible made possible

Maybe you’ve experienced a financial setback. Or your doctor has given you bad news. Perhaps you’ve lost your job or even your home. Everything feels dark, and there seems to be no solution in sight. But God is the God of the impossible.

The Bible is filled with examples:

• Peter walks on water. (Matthew 14:29)

• A donkey speaks. (Numbers 22:28)

• An ax head floats. (2 Kings 6:1–7)

• The sea parts so God’s people can cross safely on dry land. (Exodus 14:21)

• Three young men survive a blazing furnace—without even the smell of smoke on them. (Daniel 3:23)

• A man, dead for days, comes back to life. (John 11:43)

Don’t Limit God!

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

“'Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?'” (Jeremiah 32:27)

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Quote:

“Our beliefs and possibilities have to be in line with the will of God. That’s how Jesus lived His life and how He taught His disciples to live (John 5:30). When our lives are lived in obedience to God’s will, nothing is impossible. Dream big — but dream biblically!” — Dr. David Jeremiah

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalms 34:17-19)

Everyone experiences some kind of an emergency from time to time

Emergencies happen to everyone. Emergencies usually happen suddenly, when you least expect them. When they do arrive, know that God will take care of you.

When an emergency happens

·      Seek God first about it –

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7-8 NIV) 

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matt. 6:33 NLT). 

·      Give thanks for it –

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18 NLT)

·      Claim God’s promises about it –

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

·      Watch for God’s provision for it –

“…I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:11)

Therefore

“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matt. 6:31-32)

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

Quote

“God is able to accomplish, provide, help, save, keep, subdue… He is able to do what you can’t. He already has a plan. God’s not bewildered. Go to Him.” Max Lucado

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 ESV)

God gives more grace 

The above passage tells us that God gives more grace to the humble! To those who aren’t proud. 

To receive more grace, clothe yourself with humility toward others

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5 NIV)

To receive more grace, count others as more significant than yourself

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3 ESV)

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” (Rom. 12:10) 

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21)

Therefore

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tender-hearted and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 ESV)

“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16 ESV) 

Quote

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” - Saint Augustine

“I am not really alone, because the Father is with me.” (John 16:32 GNT)

Loneliness Is Everywhere

An old Beatles song, “Eleanor Rigby,” describes the life of a lonely, poor woman who “picks up the rice in the church when there’s nobody there, nobody cares.” Even the pastor, Father McKenzie, is lonely—“darning his socks in the night, when there’s nobody there.” The haunting chorus repeats, “Ah, look at all the lonely people... where do they all belong?”These are people deeply marked by loneliness.

According to a survey conducted by Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, 21% of adults reported serious feelings of loneliness. The loneliest group was adults aged 30–44, with 29% saying they were “frequently” or “always” lonely. Among 18–29-year-olds, the rate was 24%. For those aged 45–64, it was 20%. Adults aged 65 and older reported the lowest rate—just 10% felt lonely.

Overall, 65% said they felt “fundamentally separate or disconnected from others or the world,” and 57% said they were unable to share their true selves with others.

You Are Never Alone

The good news is that, as Christians, we are never truly alone. God is always close! The Bible is filled with beautiful promises to remind us of His presence.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

God’s Steadfast Love Is With You

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)

Therefore

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 ESV)

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39 ESV)

Quote

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – Jesus Christ (John 10:27)

Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.” (Deut. 1:13 ESV)

Many Christians Choose Not to Vote

Even though it’s not “voting season,” I’m bringing this up now so people can think about it when it comes up again. Millions of Christians across the country choose not to vote; some say they would rather not get involved in “dirty politics,” while others believe their one vote won’t make a difference. But as the saying goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”

The truth is, not voting is a form of voting—it allows others to decide the future on your behalf. Studies suggest that if the large number of non-voting Christians turned out at the polls and voted according to biblical values, they could have a powerful influence—possibly even turning the nation back toward righteousness.

Refusing to vote means surrendering ground to policies that are often openly hostile to Christian beliefs. So let your voice be heard. Vote!

Why Christians must vote…

·      Vote as salt and light in the world - “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

·      Vote to put the righteous in authority – “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” (Prov. 29:2 NKJV)

·      Vote as an act of righteousness - “Then I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city." (Isa. 1:26 NASB)

·      Vote in obedience to whose authority you are to submit, as is established by God -  “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Rom. 13:1 NIV)

·      Vote to protect others around you from the crooked and treacherous - “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Prov. 11:3 ESV)

·      Vote to maintain peace - “Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” (Psalm 34:14)

Therefore

“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Prov. 29:2 ESV)

Quotes:

“A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law." - Thomas Jefferson

“In a world that might say one vote doesn’t matter…it does matter because each person is of infinite worth and value to God… Your vote is a declaration of importance as a person and a citizen.” - Dr. James Dobson

“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressman and government officials, but the voters of this country.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 NKJV)

 With so much negativity present in the news and all over social media platforms, it would be easy to become troubled if you let yourself be. But, don’t let your heart be troubled because you can control your heart! The above statement by Jesus, says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” That statement is a command by Jesus and He would never command you to do anything  you could not do! In fact, He will help you do it if you ask Him!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

Draw near to God with trust

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV)

God will put a new heart and Spirit within you 

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Eze. 36:26 ESV)

Therefore

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23 ESV)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7 ESV)

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 ESV)

If you think little things you do don’t matter, think again. The Bible is filled with many examples of how little things do big things.

Little things do much

·      Faith the size of a mustard seed — “He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matt13:31-32 ESV)

“He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20 ESV)

·      A little boy’s lunch that fed thousand — There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9 ESV) 

·      The small rudder guides a large ship — “Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.” (James 3:4 ESV)

·      A small stone brought down Goliath — “Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” (1 Sam. 17:40 ESV) 

·      A little bit of yeast affects the entire loaf of bread —  “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Gal. 5:9 ESV)

·      The small tongue has great power — “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5 ESV)

Therefore

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

Quote

“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” – Jesus Christ