Lord, Be Gracious!

God's providential care for His people, especially those who are poor, sick, or suffering, shines through so many of the elements chosen for this morning's service. In the Call to Worship, we read that God "upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down" (Psalm 145:14). The hymn O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing declares that when the Lord speaks, He brings life, health, and peace to the "the humble poor," while O Lord Most High—Psalm 9 calls Him the "hope of the poor" and a "refuge strong for all oppressed." The Scripture reading from 2 Corinthians mentions the trials of the Macedonians' poverty (which nonetheless overflowed into generosity) and points out that Jesus, "though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). We echo these words later in the service in the Christmas hymn, Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor, singing that Christ "all for love's sake, becamest poor." Psalm 41, this morning's sermon text and closing hymn, opens with a commendation for the man who "considers the poor," and promises that the Lord will sustain David on his sickbed and "in his illness … restore him to full health" (Psalm 41:3). In light of this gracious care, how should we respond? Hymns like Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, To Our Redeemer's Glorious Name, and How Great Thou Art gives us an answer: since God has graciously lifted us out of our poverty, illness, and trouble, we should train our hearts to be "true and humble," to pay our "humble thanks" to Him, and to bow in "humble adoration" before His greatness. —Henry C. Haffner