Jump Start # 4159

Psalm 142:4 “Look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul.”

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

No one cared for my soul

The 142nd Psalm contains “a prayer of David when he was in the cave.” David, while hiding from King Saul, thought he had been deserted by all his friends. In one of the saddest verses in the Bible, David said, “Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul” (Psa. 142:4). David felt isolated, alone and overcome with problems.

Is it possible that you have a friend or neighbor who, like David, feels that no one cares for their soul? One of Paul’s greatest desires was for the salvation of his nation (Rom. 10:1-3). The obligation he felt to preach made him cry out, “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16). It is amazing that we can look after the mail, the pets and the yard of our neighbor, but show so little care for their soul. What can we do?

First, show compassion. Talk gently with them. Give them time out of your schedule. Allow them to talk and even pour out their worries. Guide them and comfort them with passages of Scripture. Let them know that God cares about them—no matter what. Invite them over for a meal. Invite them to come to services with you. Your friends need to know that you care before they will interested in what you believe.  Do they know that you care for their soul?

Do your children know you care for their soul? It will show by your consistent instruction from God’s word. Prayers at meals will be normal. Discussions that include God’s word and his kingdom will be an everyday part of life at home. Right and wrong will be clearly established. The reason is, you care for their souls. As they get older, you want to know more about their friends and who influences your children. Children need to know that their parents care for their soul.

Do your brethren know you care for their soul? “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8). Love for the brethren is expressed by action. Even in large congregations, surrounded by dozens of people, it is possible for some to feel alone. Do you go out of your way to try to greet as many brethren as possible? Are you interested in what is happening to others? Do they receive a card from you? Do they ever get a phone call from you? Are you an encourager or a constant complainer? One of the major reasons brethren leave a congregation is because of the way that they are treated. The church is a family, but in far too many places that family is dysfunctional. Telling someone that I’m praying for you is powerful words. Unexpected gifts of kindness speaks volumes to the heart. Young people need more than sermons, they need to know that others care for their soul. Discouragement will disappear if everyone sensed that others care for my soul.

Matthew records this about Jesus: And seeing the multitudes, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd (9:36).

Roger

April, 2006