Thursday, March 12

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

Numbers 16:41–18:32

Mark 16:1–20

Psalm 55:1–23

Proverbs 11:7

 

 

“Cast your cares on the Lord

                and he will sustain you;

                he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)

 

“When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;

                all he expected from his power comes to nothing.” (Proverbs 11:7)

 

 

Have you come to points in your life where you could rely on no other rock than the Lord Himself?  Of course, we should take this attitude daily, as David models for us in Psalm 55.  David sees God’s real-time intervention in the “battle waged against me” – a battle that has arisen from “my companion, my close friend,/ with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship/ as we walked with the thong at the house of God.”

 

As for the wicked man in Proverbs 11:7, any worldly benefits will become worthless in the light of eternity.  Despite his expectations, the wicked man finds that “his power comes to nothing.”  Where do we find our security?

 

Whatever the source of the conflicts we face, we will all experience moments like David faces as inspiration for Psalm 55.  Whether our stressor lies in the abandonment of a close friend, natural disaster, career setbacks, or a “hope deferred,” we will have the opportunity to choose a path of pity or a path of praise and trust in God’s provision.

 

This week, I have found several junctures where I could choose to trust God or to despair.  I have disappointingly chosen despair at times.  Understandably, despair doesn’t offer much relief.  In fact, it seems that the Evil One uses despair as a means of taking further away from God’s presence, causing us to doubt God’s goodness and the value of our createdness.  This despair may become overwhelming, enervating, and debilitating.

 

In contrast, God gives victory to David as he retains his hope in his Deliverer.  David’s main responsibility involves “call[ing] to God” and “cry[ing] out in distress.”  I give thanks to God that David and other psalmists give a very real picture of the stormy human heart.  While we may have the best intentions, we must be honest – as the psalmists are – to recognize that our hearts do waver at times.  Yet, crucially, God is never far from the cry of His children.

 

“He will never let the righteous fall.”  Yes, this statement is true, but we may misinterpret in meaning that we will never face challenging circumstances.  In working everything for His good purpose, God does purify our hearts through these refining times.  Chiefly, He desires that we find our satisfaction and “portion” in Him alone.

 

 

Lord God, we surrender our challenges to Your loving hands.  Thank You for sovereignty over all things and that You do not abandon us.  Work in our lives so that we may trust You more deeply and find our full satisfaction in You.  Thank You for showing the hollowness of this world, yet help us to be wise stewards of the time, talent, and treasure to which You have entrusted us.  Give us Your holy perspective in the midst of potential despair.  We love You and give our lives to You.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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