Artist: Lorena Vigil-Escalera
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.
Psalm 32
1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins
are covered.
2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against
him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,my bones wasted away through my groaning
all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my
iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may
be found;surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
A popular motto I heard throughout elementary and middle school was "Knowledge is Power". True, knowing more information does give me more "power" but that's only partially correct. Being knowledgeable doesn't always empower a person does it? Sometimes the things I hear burden me more than it emboldens me. So maybe we should add a disclaimer or modify this motto a little- "Knowledge of God is power". I like this one better.
When we come to know God, and I mean "know" him in the sense of intimacy, we are empowered. This is the safest kind of knowledge. Why? Well, for starters, there is nothing we need to know from God that he cannot empower us to accomplish. If God is the source, the bank of all our needs (both physical and spiritual), then He is more than able to give us all resources to properly act.
Read verse 1 again,
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered
and then tie it in with verses 5 and 6,
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. "
Here's a thought. Which knowledge is more powerful? The one that informs you or one that frees you? This is getting philosophical I know but hand in there. I think we can do a play on words but you get the idea. In the end, I think the conclusion should be the same- however that it may empower me or us to ACT.
How powerful is a forgiven man or woman? I wish I could have been around slaves in the South once they realized the full measure of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. What did they look like (body language, eyes, community) when they realized they were "FREE!"? Imagine the sounds heard throughout the country....wow. Man, what a great victory over the cries of injustice. In the same way the slaves were elated to find out what freedom was accorded to them so a man or woman who comes to the realization and/or knowledge of forgiveness and relief of burdens. What a joy!
Today, glory in the knowledge that you have been forgiven. That you are more than what was told of you. And don't just stop there. Seek to know Him more. It is only the beginning. Knowing God is our Father, it should make things a lot easier. Notice I said "easier" but not "easy". Today, let's thank our Father for his love by sending Jesus and then glory in the knowledge that you and I have been forgiven and are free. What else does the "freedom" afford us?
God, thank you for the awareness of your love and the freedom you afford me. Your love is grand, your light is my help and strength. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. For this, I pray gratefully. Teach me the end of my life. Show me what should be the remainder of my life- I owe a great debt to you. I am blessed to be forgiven and empowered to act. Show me how to use this knowledge today.
