Thoughts for the Day

I am lowly and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, protect me.

I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.
Let the oppressed see it and be glad;
You who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For the Lord hears the needy,
and does not despise his own that are in bonds.

Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The word "needy" in modern life is considered to be something negative. When we say someone is "needy" we might mean they are clingy and 'leaning' too much on others. Good relationships ideally allow people to give and take, sometimes to be strong and sometimes needy. There are times when we have to lean on someone, perhaps when we are ill or bereaved, but all of us should be able to give of ourselves to others - to be generous with our time and our help, for instance.

If you're not sure if you're being too needy, look at your text messages with others - are the messages one-sided with little answers, and do you use a lot of question marks? Don't use texts? Well how often do you ring someone to ask questions or gain reassurance, and are the calls rather one-sided? If the answer is "yes" don't panic, but use this as a time to re-evaluate your life.

Psalm 69, presumably written by King David, re-iterates that God 'hears the needy'. God is a much better prop when we need help! Try leaning on Him!

Heavenly Father,
teach us to trust You
and cling to You when we need help.
May we learn to be as confident as David
that You will listen to our pleas for help,
and continue to praise You
for Your care of us, Your children.
Amen.