The Afflicted

Psalm 41

David is not well as he writes these words. It is unclear whether he is physically sick or struggling with depression from years of running for his life. Either way he is hurt that his friends and acquaintances are not supportive of him as he struggles. They seem to be turning on him and questioning his character because of his circumstances. They are assuming he couldn’t possibly be faithfully following God’s guidelines because of the struggle he is in. They spend time with David in the name of friendship, but really use their visit to gather information about him so they can gossip with others about him later.

Because of his hurt and frustration, David starts this passage with the words, “Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!” The word “poor” could be exchanged with the word “afflicted” to help us better understand David’s exclamation. David knows God’s desire for us to love each other and care for each other. David has witnessed and experienced God’s blessings when he himself has been compassionate and cared for others relief. Do you remember the reason that David is running for his life? (He was a family friend of the Kings. King Saul saw potential in David and brought him up into leadership in the kingdom. As David became more influential, the people started loving him and hoping he would become the king instead of Saul. It stands to reason that a good part of the people’s love for David was because of his Godly care for the afflicted and poor. People were drawn to his compassion and care as a leader. Saul became insanely jealous of David and decided that ending David’s life was the best way to protect his job. Thus the years of David’s running for his life.) You see his frustration, right? David has worked hard, honored God in his life, experienced the joys of helping others and then had to deal with a boss who was trying to “off” him because he was good at his job.    …and now his friends are turning against him and imagining the worst of him. David sees that his friends are fickle, forgetting David’s true character and it compounds his affliction.

Hopefully David’s pain can encourage us to do better than his friends did when we encounter the afflicted. Matt 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” So what does being merciful look like? Maybe we start with the very least, which would be to notice. Noticing, requires slowing our pace enough to pay attention to those around us. We have to be willing to stop the running agenda in our minds for a split second to pay attention to someone else. We have to make space in our minds to care for and have compassion for others. Having mercy is to consider others and their circumstances, whether their issues be in mind, body or the state of their beings. Mercy is tenderness, it is checking to see how one is holding up under their circumstances.

Until I sat with this chapter for a few hours, I think I would have described mercy as an action. I would argue that most Christ followers would ask, “What can I do?” or how can I help?” when they encounter suffering. This response is good and Godly when followed with action. But after studying this passage more deeply today, I might consider describing mercy more as an attitude than just action. Maybe this slight change in thinking is a testament to my immaturity. It is easier for me to hear about someone who needs help and ask what can I do to meet the need, than to take the time to notice affliction in the people around me. I want my heart to grow in tenderness and compassion for others so I can notice when someone is hurting.