August 11 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Psalm 40:11–17

Devotional

There are many contrasts in life. In daily life are there really any events that will not be followed by a contrast? We could call contrast a “but” or a “yet” or a “nevertheless” that repeatedly occurs in life. Take, for instance, Naaman the Syrian. The man had everything he desired. He had received the most influential position at the royal court of Syria. That included a life full of abundance and pleasure. But all these splendid privileges were followed by a devastating “but.” But...he was a leper.

We can say with certainty that everyone has contrasts in his life. We all can have benefits and blessings, and behind these blessings we all need to write “but” or “nevertheless.” Then we can all simply fill in our own specific problem. Now one drop of wormwood is enough to change all the blessings and joys of life into gloom. Everything could have been so good, yet there is this one “but” or “yet,” this one “nevertheless,” this one black cloud that darkens all the sunshine in life. “If only I did not have this!” Or, “If only I had that!”

The poet of Psalm 40 also knows the contrasts of life. Life did not bring him exactly what he had expected of it either. He looked so deep into the cup of life that he came to the conclusion, “I am poor and needy.” So he did not say, “I have poverty and need in my life,” but he said, “I am poor and needy.” As long as he lives this bitterness is with him, because it is intertwined with his existence.

The psalmist is poor and needy. These two things come together. The word used for “poor” in the original actually means “being away from home.” Such a person does not feel at home on this earth. Really he just wanders around through life. And wanderers are also needy. They have to live off what they receive here and there. They are wanderers without a wallet.

This is what has happened to the psalmist. He became a poor and needy wanderer. Has he become this in the estimation of other people? No, he became this in the sight of God. The gates of Paradise are behind him. That is his need and at the same time his poverty. Outside of communion with God, he is nothing but a wanderer, even if he lives in a palace in his own country. He has learned the deep reality that without God, he is alone. He is alone in life, and alone in his death. This has become for him the great “yet,” or the great “nevertheless” in his life. All this is because of his guilt.

Still, in the midst of this poverty and need, a very blessed “yet” or “nevertheless” has been born. It is this “yet” that the poet speaks of here in this psalm. Against all the other instances of a “nevertheless” or a “yet” he may say, “Yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” Then it is well, because the Lord has thoughts of deliverance and loving-kindness. With the Lord as his hope and refuge this man is still very blessed. Then this one “yet” forms such a great contrast in his life that it brings color and vibrancy to all things. Although I am poor and needy, nevertheless the Lord thinketh upon me!

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.