Thursday, August 13, 2020

8-13-2020

 Good Morning All, 

    Psalm 30:5; “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

    “I am tired”, this is a phrase I have heard a lot lately.  People are tired of the covid virus and the impact it has on their life.  Some complain because they are tired of staying home and watching life out of their window but not going outside.  I try and call some of our shut ins, especially the ones with little or no family but they rarely talk long; they are tired of it all.  I used to lead devotional services at a couple of the assisted living centers, now we are trying to use the internet.  They watch on TV as I “preach” to a computer (it is not the same); I deeply miss the people who came to those services.  I am trying to prepare in case everyone goes on lockdown again this fall so we can continue our confirmation classes.  I am tired as well from the stress of “why are you meeting?” alongside of “why aren’t you meeting more?”  I am tired is a common phrase but hidden beneath it is the subtle question, “where is God and why is this happening?”

   Our verse is from the 30th Psalm and has the speaker (probably David) thanking God for saving him from the jaws of death, from “going down to the pit.”  We don’t really know if David is talking about an actual life and death moment or is speaking of emotional and spiritual battles and fatigue.  It might be a combination of both.  Yet, repeatedly, that is what David claims in this psalm; that he is rescued from the pit and thus his praise overflows.  Our verse even hints to the thought of going to bed and wondering if you would wake up in the morning.  Weeping at night, fearful of what the night will bring inly to awaken to the joy of a new day where God’s mercies are new every morning.

    David does not ask or wonder why the things are occurring; he is thankful that God rescues him.  David avoids that three-letter word that causes us so much worry and fear; why?  “Why does God allow (fill in the blank)?”  Yet even in this hiddenness of God which is beyond our understanding; God saves his people and comforts them.  Even in our greatest struggle and fear, God provides for us.  Our future is secure with an even more dramatic rescue then what David experienced in our psalm.  Our rescue is for eternity.  We don’t understand it (remember Paul said, “I tell you a mystery”), and yet it is this sure and certain word that allows us to rest and to refresh as we face each new day.  I go to bed tired because sin leads me to try and figure everything out rather than trusting in the God who has already laid the path to life eternal.

    God invites us to rest in this truth.  He invites us to leave our mourning and dance with joy because of His great promise of salvation.  He invites us to remember that He has pulled us up, given us peace, comfort, and hope.  It is his will that you are saved, never lose sight of that!

Father of all mercies, lift us up that we may never lose hope.  Guide us by the unwavering certainty of your grace.  Keep us safe in your loving arms.  Defend us from all evil and help us to be the beacons of hope in this dark and dreary world.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

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