The Goodness of My God
This has been one of those weeks... stressful, trying, gut-wrenching, painful. It has been one of those weeks where you feel like you have to be extra careful in order to not make things worse for yourself, and for others. Things like being careful (more careful than usual) about what you say, how you say it, and what you do, and how you do it.
There is a verse on my calendar for the month of January that is from the Psalms: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). That has been my continual prayer this week.
As those who seek to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 5), we should desire to be obedient to the Lord in all things, including acting in a godly way when presented with difficult situations. Sometimes, though, it seems as if trusting in the Lord, being obedient, being kind, and being patient (I could go on and on here...) don't seem to make things better. In fact, it may get worse for us before it gets better. It often feels as if God doesn't notice the fact that we are trying to be what He has called us to be. Instead, the stress, the agony, and the pain increase.
Enter: God's grace. As most of you know, my pattern is to read one Psalm a day as part of my personal time with the Lord. This morning it was Psalm 126. This is a song of ascents (you may have that notation in your Bible near the top of the Psalm). That tells us that it was meant to be sung by the people of Israel as they ascended the hills surrounding Jerusalem (the city is higher in elevation than the surrounding area) on their way to worship the Lord. In other words, it was a preparation for worship.
This preparation for worship was a remembrance of what God had done for them. Specifically, this was a recitation of the act of God in bringing Israel back to their homeland after the Babylonian captivity. Verse 3 is a summary: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad."
Lesson #1 for me this morning is this: In stressful times, painful times, agonizing times, remember the great things my God has done for me.
Then the Psalm ends this way:
There is a verse on my calendar for the month of January that is from the Psalms: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). That has been my continual prayer this week.
As those who seek to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 5), we should desire to be obedient to the Lord in all things, including acting in a godly way when presented with difficult situations. Sometimes, though, it seems as if trusting in the Lord, being obedient, being kind, and being patient (I could go on and on here...) don't seem to make things better. In fact, it may get worse for us before it gets better. It often feels as if God doesn't notice the fact that we are trying to be what He has called us to be. Instead, the stress, the agony, and the pain increase.
Enter: God's grace. As most of you know, my pattern is to read one Psalm a day as part of my personal time with the Lord. This morning it was Psalm 126. This is a song of ascents (you may have that notation in your Bible near the top of the Psalm). That tells us that it was meant to be sung by the people of Israel as they ascended the hills surrounding Jerusalem (the city is higher in elevation than the surrounding area) on their way to worship the Lord. In other words, it was a preparation for worship.
This preparation for worship was a remembrance of what God had done for them. Specifically, this was a recitation of the act of God in bringing Israel back to their homeland after the Babylonian captivity. Verse 3 is a summary: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad."
Lesson #1 for me this morning is this: In stressful times, painful times, agonizing times, remember the great things my God has done for me.
Then the Psalm ends this way:
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
The psalmist reverts to an agricultural illustration here to provide encouragement to trust in God's unfailing grace. Those who obediently follow their Lord...even in tears...shall come again rejoicing, bringing in an abundant harvest. Why? If God has done great things in the past, then my God can do great things in the present and the future. So be glad.
Lesson learned, Lord.
Lesson learned, Lord.
posted by Pastor Jason | 9:16 AM
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