March 26
THE CARE OF THE POOR
"The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing" Ps. 41:3
Remember that this is a promise to the man who considers the poor.
Are you one of these? Then take home the text.
See how in the hour of sickness the God of the poor will bless the
man who cares for the poor! The everlasting arms shall stay up his
soul as friendly hands and downy pillows stay up the body of the sick.
How tender and sympathizing is this image; how near it brings our God
to our infirmities and sicknesses! Whoever heard this of the old
heathen Jove, or of the gods of India, or China? This is language
peculiar to the God of Israel; He it is who deigns to become nurse and
attendant upon good men. If He smites with one hand, He sustains with
the other. Oh, it is blessed fainting when one falls upon the Lord's
own bosom, and is borne thereon! Grace is the best of restoratives;
divine love is the safest stimulant for a languishing patient; it
makes the soul strong as a giant, even when the bones are breaking
through the skin. No physician like the Lord, no tonic like His
promise, no wine like His love.
If the reader has failed in his duty to the poor, let him see what
he is losing, and at once become their friend and helper.