Psalm 33
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
To say the economy has been a bit shaky would be an understatement. One moment we hear that progress is being made and the next we hear of companies missing their projected earnings and the sector and that sector of the economy was much weaker than thought. Either we've grown so cold and accustomed to this type of news that we have become calloused to it (tor protect our heart), or we've let it consume us (like a caterpillar eating a leaf).
The psalmist had it right in verse 22, "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
One thing for sure and a solid practice- only put your hope in something or someone who cannot change. Yep, you know where I'm going with. The problem we have is we put our "hope" in a person or "vehicle" that seems to solve a problem we face at the moment- usually the most glaring one. But a new employee, a love interest for the holidays, or a budding achievement can only give us so much. What we end up doing is placing our hope in a "vehicle" that only met a temporary need.
Two things for sure here. Your problem is temporary and there will always be more. How is that for hope? I know a bit pale. But the point is regardless of how we insulate our lives whether it is with people (even to codependency, more success, money, acts of mercy) or things, only serve as temporary answers to a temporary problem. In this fallen world, problems will ALWAYS exist. Its the reality of growth and life. Thats why we say the "Challenge" of life not the "Stroll" of life.
In the Bible we learn God is our rock. He's a firm foundation that cannot be moved. Furthermore, James writes,
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (1:17 NIV).
God is good and he does not change. The word change implies and applies to many places of our life; most importantly, He does not change his mind about his promises to us especially salvation. So regardless of how you "feel" today or whatever ambitious exploit you plan, take a deep breath, look up to heaven, and tell your heavenly Father what is on your mind. Recommit your heart to him today. Place that whole weight of hope on the only One who can bear all of it for He does not change like shifting shadows.
Father, I thank you for you are my help and true hope. Today, I ask for your help even in small things. Direct my thoughts. For I can do much with my strength, but it only goes so far. But you LORD, you do all things as they should.
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