Readings for today: Psalms 65-67, Romans 2
I love the deep faith of the Psalmist. Life in the ancient world was incredibly hard. It was a daily grind. A person lived under constant threat of famine or plague or some other natural disaster. Each spring the armies would go off to war with the fate of the nation hanging in the balance. Disease and death were constant companions. And yet in the midst of it all, he looks to God for salvation. He knows he can trust in God’s character. He knows He can trust in God’s power. He knows He can trust God’s nature which is good and righteous and holy. This is what gives him hope. Not worldly success or comfort. Not earthly power or treasure. Not even his own physical well-being. God alone is the “hope of all the earth and of the farthest seas…” Listen to how he puts it…
“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.” (Psalm 65:5-8)
You and I live in much different times. Life in America in the 21st century could not be more different than life in ancient Israel and yet it doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. Yes, we live in relative comfort and ease. Yes, many of us do not need to worry about famine or plague or some other natural disaster. We can go to King Soopers if we are hungry. We can go to the doctor if we are sick. We live in homes specifically designed to withstand whatever Mother Nature may decide to throw at us. Sure, there are very real geo-political threats but we do not fear annual invasions by a foreign power. But life is still very much a daily grind. How many of us struggle with mental health issues? How many of us struggle with persistent physical pain? How many of us have suffered emotionally through the grief and losses of the last year? Death still stalks us whether we acknowledge it or not. Fear and anxiety seem like constant companions. The constant strain and stress takes a toll on our closest relationships and the relentless pressure to produce drives us into the ground. So where do we find hope? Where do we look for salvation?
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same God who provided hope for the Psalmist of the ancient world is the same God who provides hope for us today. We simply need to look to Him. We need to believe His promises. We need to trust His character. Trust His power. Trust His nature which is good and righteous and holy. God is still at work doing awesome deeds! He is making Himself known in the farthest corners of the earth! By His strength He raises mountains and stills the raging seas. By His might He calms the oceans and brings peace to the nations of the earth. He performs these miracles so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth will see and believe and be in awe of His signs and wonders.
Friends, whatever you may be facing today, look to God for hope. Whatever battles you may be fighting today, look to God for salvation. Whatever struggles or suffering you may be going through, look to God for deliverance. He loves you. He is with you. He will be faithful to bring you through the dark valley into beautiful green pastures where you can be refreshed by still waters and restore your soul.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 68-69, Romans 3