Day 24: Now I Will Arise
Read: Psalm 12:1–5
"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
— Psalm 12:5 (ESV)
Reflect
Most of Psalm 12 is a human voice. "Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone." The psalmist looks around and sees lies, flattery, and the strong taking advantage of the weak.
Then, in verse 5, the voice changes. God speaks. In the middle of a lament, he answers, and this is what he says.
"I will now arise."
The word is 'aqum, "I will arise." God is not describing a feeling of sympathy. He is announcing that he is about to move.
And look at what moves him. "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan." The groaning of the needy is what brings God to his feet. Not their eloquence. Not their influence. Their groaning.
We met this idea before. In Psalm 5 (Day 9), David asked God to "consider my groaning." Here we see that God does more than consider it. He rises because of it.
If you are among the groaning today, or if you are praying for people who are, this verse is a word to hold on to. Your groaning has a listener, and that listener has a verb: "Now I will arise."
Across Scripture
God speaks almost the same words through Isaiah: "'Now I will arise,' says the LORD" (Isaiah 33:10). In Egypt, God "heard their groaning" and acted (Exodus 2:24). Jesus told a parable about persistent prayer and asked, "Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?" (Luke 18:7–8).
Sit With It
Your groaning has a listener with a verb: "Now I will arise." Ask him for the "now."
Pray
Arise now, Lord, for the ones who are groaning.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.