Committing Ourselves to God

Psalm 10:14 – “Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.”

There are worse things in life than being poor, especially when it can be said of the poverty stricken, “the poor committeth himself unto thee.” Those who are destitute and distressed can especially be inclined to turn to the Lord for assistance. Although it would include this, being poor is certainly not limited to the idea of financial poverty. People can also be emotionally distraught, physically impoverished, or spiritually bankrupt. The Scriptures include the fatherless in the same sentence.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Those in spiritual need are poor and in a position to be blessed if they turn to the Lord in their desperation. Those who are poor have a special motivation to commit themselves unto the Lord. The word committeth means “to leave our burdens with Him, to cast our cares on Him, or to rely upon Him.” Those who are in dire straits are more likely to give themselves up entirely into the Lord’s hands. They have no solution within themselves and are relieved to find rest in His care. It seems that as long as man feels he can survive without God, he usually tries to.

In a real sense, the person to be pitied is not the one who is in such calamity that he must trust the Lord, but rather the one who does not feel the need to turn to God for help. This principle is definitely true as far as salvation is concerned. When one sees how desperately lost he is, and how hopeless and utterly incapable he is to improve his lot, he will be open to placing himself into the capable and loving hands of the Lord. The same is also true in the matter of daily dependence on God. As sure as we are unable to save ourselves from our sin and guilt, we are equally bankrupt to live the Christian life without God’s daily and continual help. He assists those who are sincerely depending on Him and resting in His desire and ability to aid us in our distress. It would be wise of us to recognize the enemy of self-confidence and welcome the sense of need that drives us to Him.