PSALM 41
1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and surrender him to the desire of his foes. 3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. 4 I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you." 5 My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?" 6 Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad. 7 All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, 8 "A vile disease has beset him; he will never get up from the place where he lies." 9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 10 But you, O LORD, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them. 11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. 13 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. NIV 84
LESSON NOTES
Mercy Is Evidence of a Life Lived with God
A defining characteristic of the Christian is revealed in how we treat the weak, vulnerable, and overlooked. Regard for the weak is evidence of a heart that has been transformed by God.
“Regard for the Weak” Requires Thoughtful Compassion
To “regard” the weak means more than noticing them; it means thoughtfully considering their situation and responding with intentional compassion.
God's Mercy Meets Us in Every Kind of Brokenness
“O Lord, have mercy on me” is a prayer that fits every season of life. Whether facing sin, sickness, relational wounds, or betrayal, God welcomes honest, humble cries for help.
God’s Mercy Does Not Remove Struggle but Upholds Us Through It
The power of God’s mercy is seen in the way He upholds us. God may not immediately remove suffering, but He promises to hold us steady within it. His mercy keeps us standing when we are too weak to stand on our own.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who is your “Mephibosheth”? Who is a specific person in your life—by name—that God may be calling you to regard, consider, and compassionately serve?
2. When have you experienced God’s mercy personally? Can you recall a season when God delivered, restored, sustained, or rescued you? How does remembering past mercy strengthen your faith in present struggles?
3. Where do you need to pray, “O Lord, Have Mercy on Me”? Which area of your life currently reflects David’s prayer—sin, sickness, relational hurt, betrayal, or weariness? How does this simple prayer give you language for your need?
4. What does it look like to trust God’s sustaining mercy rather than expecting immediate solutions? How can this group help “hold one another up” as God does in His mercy?
5. Close the group by praying the six-word prayer together—slowly and intentionally: “O Lord, have mercy on me.” Encourage one another to carry that prayer into the coming week as both a cry for help and a declaration of trust in God’s sustaining mercy.
