July 30

“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.” — Ps 12:5 BSB

The distinguishing mark of a needy soul is its constant awareness of need. Day after day, the soul longs for divine realities to be revealed, for the sweet voice of mercy to speak directly to the heart, as if from the lips of God himself, confirming that the soul is accepted as a child of God. The needy soul desires to bathe in the manifestations of God’s love and mercy. In the meeting of these needs, the soul finds the essence of true religion and vital godliness. Such a soul cannot be content with its present state of spiritual need. If it is burdened by doubts, fears, temptations, or self-condemnation, it does not settle for this as true religion. Instead, it longs for the blessed testimonies and manifestations that confirm it is part of God’s dear family. From personal experience, I know that only the application of heavenly blessings to the soul can satisfy someone whom God has touched with new life.

We read that this needy soul SIGHS. “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy.” The soul sighs after God, groaning from the depths for the light of God’s countenance to shine upon it. It sighs under the weight of unbelief, the burden of doubt, the power of temptation, the wretchedness of its heart, the carnality of its mind, the barrenness of its spirit, its ignorance, and its inner corruption. The soul brings all of this to the Lord, pleading for him to lift the heavy load from its conscience. It begs for just one glimpse of the light of God’s countenance, one sweet testimony, one word from him that would bring deliverance and lift the soul into the light, life, liberty, and peace of the glorious gospel.