This morning as I read and prayed I had a realization that I had not grasped before. One of those things that humbled me, and at the same time gave me some peace that I had not previously experienced.
I began my reading in Psalm 37. The heading in my ESV Bible is “He Will Not Forsake His Saints” It is a Psalm of David. K – Love quoted the 24th verse, but as usual I had to get the context so I read it all, but as I read it and considered the passages and considered them in relation to how I was living I was humbled.
I don’t know about you but I can get so focused in the moment. Part of the “condition my condition is in” is an increase in focused anxiety. I get anxious easily and many times it is over nothing… If I allow it to it will make a mess of my day. Well as I read this Psalm I realized how short sighted I can be.
My vision so often is limited to the moment. At its broadest, I can see the World around me, but it is still trapped in the moment of time that I can manage. The violence of the world, refugees, ISIS, persecution of others; the media contributes to this by showing me what they think is important.
It is not all negative. There is so much to be joyful about…. My family. My Church Home, my friends, the multitude of gifts God has blessed me with… But it is still often focused only on the moment.
As I read this Psalm and considered what the Lord was saying through David I was just humbled. As I read this Psalm I began to see how short this time here is, and how futile it is to dwell on these things.
We all face some horrific things… The loss that breaks hearts, disagreements that break or at least damage relationships, financial challenges and health issues, and I do not want to minimize them. They can be devastating. But as I prayed and studied this morning I was overtaking with this realization…
I realized the promises are eternal… like the men and women of faith discussed in Hebrews 11, they may not all come while I am here in this life, but they will come.
As I read verses 8-11 I got a cold chill….
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace
I read a bit further thru verse 34 and it hit me.
“Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.”
How many times does the Lord remind us to wait… and keep His ways. Trust in Him… Hold fast to His teachings… Seek first the Kingdom of God.
I am not suggesting that we be oblivious to the things that are happening in the world around us. They are real and reason to be watchful, but we also need to remember who has our back…
This condition is temporary… and God is there to shore us up in the trials. He is there to be our refuge as we travel through this land. The original verse that brought me to Psalms 37 was verse 24. I included 23 below…
23-24 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.”
What an amazing promise. What joy that brings to my heart. What a comfort… It leads me to one last scripture… 1Peter 1:5-9
“who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith —more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire —may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
As I considered all this there was a weight lifted. God has promised amazing things for those whom are faithful and trust in Him. I will not see all of it on this side. I may have struggles, but they are less when I give them to Jesus rather than hold them close.
I am with Peter on this one…
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Now the Lord has given me another morsel of understanding that I can use to add to my armor. I am thankful for His Word and I am thankful for the Love he shares with me. What an awesome God!
