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 the children of Israel to invite them 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 and our complete trust in Him? Our responses to stressful
situations - what we say, our calmness in the storm - will be the loudest testimony.
The more difficult our situation, the more impactful our testimony will be. 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 earthly positions, plans, or
possessions:
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, as we are prone by our human nature 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 live mindful of 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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