Speak, Lord, your servant is listening! I'm taking in your word in Psalm 30. Show me what you want me to hear most importantly right now. Ingrain it on my heart. I love to read your inspired word and know it is your letter to me!
When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. (v. 6-7)
Self-confidence is important, but it should be anchored in my my trust in God. Any sense of security that is based on my own ingenuity, my job, my savings, or the way I've positioned myself is a like leaning on a spider web. There have been times that my confidence was more in myself than it should have been and, like the psalmist, I sooner or later discovered that any security I had was because of God's favor. Even my assets were from him. And when he "hid his face" I was quickly reminded of how much I must depend on him.
But when I lean on God through life's challenges and disappointments, he wants me to rest on this promise:
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (v. 5)
I'm hearing Trading My Sorrows in my head right now. God will at times discipline me or test me because he loves me and wants me to grow. But his favor is always upon me, even when I don't feel it. I am his child, and he loves me even when I disappoint him. Sad times and hard times don't last. But God's love does. My days may feel more like the dead of night for a season, but God has promised that the morning sun is on its way! I'm claiming that promise today. Joy is coming!
And when it does come, then I will break out in celebration for what God has done:
You turned my mourning into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy... (v. 11)
Yes, there is a time to dance! And nobody should dance like the children of God! Celebrate his blessings! Do the dance!
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It is comforting, as we go through hard times, to read about David and all of the struggles in his life. It reminds me that I'm not alone and others have dealt w/ far worse trials than I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder that joy is on it's way and we can rest in the arms of our Father as we ride out the storms! Thank you, Chris.
Michele