David had been ill, and he believed this was due to his disobedience of God's commands - his adultery, murder, arrogance and pride. (2 Samuel 11)
His "friends" had come to visit, but they weren't much of a comfort; for actually they were hoping that he was actually dying. They wanted a new king - his son Absalom. Even his best friend, Ahithopheh had turned against him - he had become very unkind to David.
"Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." Psalm 41:9
This is the verse Jesus repeated about Judas before he died; so you can imagine how David felt about this man.
But David had a special friend, a visitor who was still with him. Yes, in his old age and sinfulness, he had "fallen out of touch with God", and had felt he needed to be accountable to no one accept himself. Fortunately though, God had not "fallen out of touch with David". As God visited Him, David was soon reminded of this TRUTH:
"Blessed is He who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers Him in times of trouble.The Lord will protect Him and preserve His life; He will bless Him in the land and not surrender Him to His foes. The Lord will sustain Him on His sickbed and restore Him on His bed of illness."
Psalm 41:1-3
This is what God will do for men and women of faith, those `after God's heart'. who are willing to `fall back into the hands of God'.
DAVID'S STORY - Read 2 Samuel 11-18.
We all know the story of David and Bathsheba, and how their adulterous behaviour led to the murder of her loyal husband Uriah. But what about all the other consequences of this sin: the death of their unborn son, the rape of David's daughter by his older son Amnon, whose actions were then avenged by another son Absalom, whose arrogance and pride, led to a wild takeover bid for his father's kingship, and Absalom's ultimate death.
David's guilt turned into grief ; and it is no wonder he was suffering both physical and mental illness.
"O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you - O Absalom, my son, my son! The King covered his face and cried aloud. "O my son Absalom O Absalom, my son, my son!"
GOD'S PROMISES - Psalm 41:1-5
David encourages himself through his illness by TAKING HOLD OF GOD'S PROMISES. This is something I have done in the past, and I encourage you to the same.
Lift up your heart in prayer and leave all your pain, both physical and mental in God's hands. Take your spiritual and physical weaknesses and trust them into God's mercy. God's HELP, STRENGTH AND MERCY are there for those, who like David, God knew would again care for the weak and poor.
"Free me from the trap that is set for me; for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." Psalm 41:4&5
SHARING THE HATRED OF ENEMIES - Psalm 41:6-12
David knew that even though his enemies seemed cruel, GOD WOULD GRACIOUS. This is why he needed to share these complaints he had against his enemies.
* "they spoke evil against me".
* "they want me dead"
* "they criticize me and whisper together against me."
The hardest part to cope with was that his best friend, Ahithopheh, whom he had trusted with all his confidence, had turned against him. Has this ever happened to you? All he knew he could do was leave all his hurt and anger in God's hands.
It is not wrong to `complain' when someone hurts you or `stabs you in the back'. As long as you give it to God, show them mercy and then LEAVE THEM THERE IN GOD'S HANDS.
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, `You are my God'."My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me." Psalm 41:14&15
"Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another and you will healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
DOXOLOGY - Psalm 41:13
David finishes off his 1st Book of Psalms with a Doxology of Praise. These are usually sung but can also be spoken. They teach us that God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End of every good work.
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen."
Psalm 41:13
"I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8
The Bible, New International Version
"The Life of David as Reflected in His Psalms" - Alexander McLaren (9th Edition)Butler & Tanner
