Do you ever have those amazing days when you just need a friend and then all of the sudden, God just puts them in your path to minister to you? Well that was me today, and God is so faithful. As I write this blog, I am listening to the latest Crowder CD, and my good friend is doing some artwork to my right. We've had a great day walking on the beach and talking - and just connecting.
Life right now for many of us is filled with anxiety for a multitude of reasons, but this isn't a "new" condition. King David was no stranger to anxiety caused by despair, betrayal, broken relationships, sin, (fill in the blank). As I blog today I must admit, I too have anxiety. The world is at times a very scary place to be, I worry for my kids and their safety - I worry about what will happen to their hearts as they go through life's bitter disappointments. I worry about my own heart being lost to cynicism.
However, there are these days, filled with friends and moments, where God just keeps calling me back to Himself. Where I am reminded not only through my experiences that God is faithful, but in reading this amazing Psalm, that same God is sure to be there for each one us in this time but has been faithful throughout all time to every generation.
I know these blogs aren't supposed to uber-long but how can you edit down something as powerful as a Psalm? Its too rich....soak it in my friends, and remember the same God who created heaven and earth is the one who promises to deliver you from whatever is creating anxiety for you today. Peace be with you.
Psalm 31(The Message)
I run to you, God: I run for dear life. Don't let me down!
Take me seriously this time! Get down on my level and listen, and please
no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, your high cliff aerie a place of safety.
You're my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you. I put my life in your hands. You won't drop me, you'll never let me down.
I hate all this silly religion, but you God I trust. I'm leaping and singing in the circle of your love; you saw my pain, you disarmed my tormentors, You didn't leave me in their clutches but gave me room to breath. Be kind to me , God - I'm' in deep, deep trouble again. I've cried my eyes out; I feel hollow inside. My life leaks away, groan by groan my years fadeout in sighs. My troubles have worn me out, turned my bones to powder. To my enemies I'm a monster; I'm ridiculed by the neighbors. My friends are horrified; they cross the street to avoid me. They want to blot me from memory, forget me like a corpse in a grave. The street-talk gossip has me "criminally insane"! Behind locked doors they plot how to ruin me for good.
Desperate I throw myself on you: you are my God! Hour by hour I place my days in your hand safe from the hands out to get me. Warm me, your servant with a smile. Save me because you love me. Don't embarrass me by not showing up; I've given you plenty of notice. Embarrass the wicked, stand them up, leave them stupidly shaking their heads as they drift down to hell. Gag those loudmouthed liars, who heckle me, your follower with jeers and catcalls.
What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you. Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip. Blessed God!
His love is the wonder of the world. Trapped by a siege, I panicked. "Out of sight, out of mind, " I said. But you heard me say it, you heard and listened.
Love God all you saints; God takes care of those who stay close to him, But he pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone.
Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon.
Here is my parting thought or rather question: what if you just stayed close to God today and let Him take care of the rest? What would that look and feel like for you, would you know peace then?
I think I do today at least for today.
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