A new week with worries, some old and some new.
When will this all end? Are we doing enough to stay well? Am I going to have a job to go back to? Are the kids going to fall behind because online schooling isn't the same as being in the classroom? How can I work from home with all this noise? Are the grocery stores going to run out of the basic necessities? Why can't our governmental leaders work together? I'm frightened by all of this.
In his book, "Every Day Deserves A Chance," Max Lucado wrote: Worry give small problems big shadows. Montaigne said, "My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened." Corrie ten Boom commented, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength." Worry scuttles our lives, hurts us and most sadly, dishonors God.
One help I learn when I read through David's psalms is how he confidently puts his worries into God's hands.
Psalm 34 is a good example. You might say the theme of this psalm is "The Lord saves from troubles those who trust in Him." The circumstances which led to the writing of the psalm are described in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. David does something we all do - he failed to put his trust in the Lord and lost confidence in the Lord's protection. Saul wanted David's head so what did David do? He fled to the Philistines, Israel's arch enemies. When David realized that he'd made a big mistake, he fakes insanity to escape from them.
Reflecting on what had happened, David gives an offering of praise to the Lord. See verses four and eight for examples. Also, verses 17 & 18 are instructive - The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Are you overcome with worry? Cry out to the Lord for He will hear you. Do troubles surround you on every side? Trust in the Lord's deliverance. God is near. He will lift you up through the promises of His Word. As David writes - A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. (verse 19)
Live for today only. Do not fret or worry about tomorrow. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (verse 8).
Have a blessed Easter Monday!
