The Merciful Preserved While the Fearful Fall

Psalm 41:2 declares, "The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive." Consider this remarkable observation from Adam Clarke: benevolent persons who deliberately "consider the poor"—who search cellars, garrets, and back lanes to find the sick and destitute, even venturing into places where contagion maintains its deadly seat—very seldom fall prey to the very diseases they encounter. The Lord, in a most especial manner, keeps such merciful souls alive and preserves them.…