God always hears the cry of the poor

"But here I am miserable and in pain;
let your saving help protect me, God,
*That I may praise God’s name in song
and glorify it with thanksgiving.
That will please the LORD more than oxen,
more than bulls with horns and hooves:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, take heart!" (Psalm 69: 30 - 33)

God always hears the cry of the poor. Trust Him always and everywhere.

Put no trust in princes; they have no power to save you.

"Put no trust in princes,
in children of Adam powerless to save." (Psalm 146: 3)

In whom do you put your trust?

"God indeed is my salvation;
I am confident and unafraid.
For the LORD is my strength and my might,
and he has been my salvation.
With joy you will draw water
from the fountains of salvation" (Isaiah 12: 2 - 3)

Do you repose your trust in good health, family, money, good job, your property and tools or your bright future?

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
“The Lord is my helper,
[and] I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?"  (Hebrews 13: 5 - 6)

I am being initiated into the mystery of peace and contentment

"I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need."  (Philippians 4: 12)

Peace and contentment do not depend on circumstances.  No, they do not depend on money, good health, great family, good job, nice home and tools.  Peace and contentment depend on what Jesus, our hope of glory is doing inside us here and now.  Where Jesus abides, there abide peace and contentment.

Jesus is the direct and efficient cause of peace and contentment in the heart.  Any other presumed cause or agent is there to exploit our weakness and insecurity.


"I say to the LORD,
you are my Lord,
you are my only good.
They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."  (Psalm 16: 2, 4)


"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)

When he finds a pearl of great price...

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." (Matthew 13: 45 - 46)

Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price.  What must we sell in order to acquire in the fullest sense this priceless treasure?

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29)

What is our response to the above challenge?

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
*Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

In the Name of Jesus

"that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2: 10-11)

Jesus means Savior.  The name says what it is and it does what it says.  The Savior has absolute power to save man from sin and from every distress.  The name of Jesus puts Satan to flight.  It is the most potent one word prayer:  Jesus!  The power of the Jesus Prayer has been universally recognized.  It has the power of the sacramental.

Jesus!  Amen!

The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

"The eyes of all look hopefully to you;
you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing."  (Psalm 145: 15 - 16)

The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. 
Lord Jesus, grant me deep faith in the above truth.  May I never doubt your willingness and power to provide me with everything that I need.