Thursday, March 12

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

(Apologies for the early tech fail!  It's been a rough day.)

"If an enemy were insulting me,
 I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
 I could hide.

But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
^{with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship} at the house of God,
as we walked about
 among the worshipers." (Psalm 55:11-14)

Here, David wrestles ​with rejection and betrayal, recognizing the overwhelming pain of separation and hurt.  We often believe that relational distance or damage doesn't carry any lasting effects, but we can sense the power of that pain.

While God has firstly created us for Himself, that we may know Him and grow into the likeness of Christ, He has also created us to relate to others.  Have you experienced the joy of being "in synch" with another person?  Or the exuberance of cheering on your favorite team with a crowd?  Or worshipping together with brothers and sisters, relishing the glory of God?  Or maybe just the joy or catching up with a friend and knowing that he or she really "hears you" and cares about what's going on?

God has indeed called us to be knit together with others in heart.  These relationships become particularly strong when God is featured at the center.  David knee that full well, having shared deep fellowship with his friend Jonathan.

Here, however, he reflects on a relational disconnect.  In response, he reflects on his need to cast his cares on the Lord, trusting in His provision.  This pattern may guide us, too.  When people have let us down, how could we keep from falling into despair?  Like David, we may turn our eyes upward to our faithful God and King.

Indeed, we may become friends with God by seeking Him in relationship.  We then may love others out of the overflow of God's love, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

As takeaways from this passage, it is natural to experience great pain from relational disconnects.  Yet, we should continue to pursue relationships because they are part of our God-designed DNA.  In the end, our satisfaction in God carries us through; how amazing that we may become friends with God!

Lord God, thank You for never leaving nor forsaking is.  We seek to trust You through our relational disconnects.  Help us to remember how we may cast our cares on You.  Thank You for Your lovingkindness and grace.  In Jesus's Name, amen.