Tuesday, November 15, 2016

I WANT YOU TO MEET MY GOD!












DO OUR LIVES INVITE OTHERS TO THE SAVIOR?

Psalm 62:8-12
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
        
As David reminds himself of the meticulous care of God and of His sovereign protection, he turns to invite the children of Israel to also trust in God.

Dear friends, as children of God, have you stopped to reflect on your purpose? What is your duty, as you look around and live in a world that is oblivious of the God of the Bible?

What impresses the people around us, as they observe the way we live? Are they able to see our dependence on God, our complete trust in Him? Our responses to stressful situations - what we say, our calmness in the storm - will be a loud testimony. The more difficult our situation, the more impactful our testimony will be to those who observe us. It will be our humanly-impossible reactions that will cause the grace of God and His work in us to shine brightly.

David’s invitation is to avoid placing our trust in our own strength, or in other fellow humans.

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
        
These are such good reminders, for by our human nature we are prone to think incorrectly. We tend to think that if our life was different, our reactions would be different. If we only had more means, or a better environment, our testimony would shine. But it is good to remember that our times of pain or want last only for a short while, because our lives on earth are so short. Being powerful and rich only bring an illusion of well-being. Looking for our situation to change in order to find peace is unwise, for the psalmist also warns against the temptation to escape it through sin.

Even if our material circumstances do improve, God, through the psalmist, is reminding us not to become attached to them. God does not want anything to turn our attention away from Him. He wants our dependence upon Him to increase daily.

Are you frustrated by your present situation? Are you disappointed in people? Are you feeling overwhelmed by obstacles that seem impossible to overcome? Are you finding yourself constantly desiring that your circumstances would change? Check your heart and trust in God!

11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.

God is powerful and He loves you! His power is unmatched! Even those who seem to have the control over your circumstances have received their power from God!

God’s disposition towards us is driven by His steadfast love. His love is perfect, constant, faithful, unwavering, and undeserved. We did not do anything to invite it and we cannot do anything to divert it. Our trials are filtered through God’s eternal love.

What does that mean, practically? Well, it means that we should not complain and we should not be anxious for anything. Our frustration is only an expression of rebellion against God!

This psalm is both helpful and rebuking. I certainly cannot change the reactions I had yesterday, but I must recognize the sinful ones and repent of them. Today, I must begin with an awareness of God’s meticulous care, and appreciate the privilege of knowing the eternal, loving God of the Bible. Overall, my life should be a light to others, to lead them to Christ. And remember that our testimony begins at home, with our family who most closely observes if we are truly trusting our God!


And above all, remember that God will reward and punish everyone righteously. May our awareness of God’s watching eyes both encourage us and cause us to be careful in what we do.

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