Heavenly Perspective in Difficult Times
By Rob Fields
What is God saying to us through the Scriptures in light of our recent challenges?
We are in uncharted waters unlike any other time in history. The sense of fear and unrest are grasping deep into our soul. In another time in history we find people like us crying out. The people of Israel cried out to God in the midst of extreme circumstances they were facing as a community. The feelings of fear and uncertainty were gripping their deepest part of their soul. It was encircling not just the neighbor in the nearby city but into everyone’s house.
Can you hear their cry and resonate together with our anguish?
Hymn books of the exiles are found in the book of Psalm. They contain both pre-exilic psalms that had been cherished, as well as some exilic psalms that are lamenting the fact that Israel was exiled into a foreign land. Asaph, a Levite musician in David’s day, brings us to a Kingdom perspective in the midst of the struggle.
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Selah
Our cry too BUT then God’s great deliverance and hope for mankind!
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah (Psalm 77)
Here we remember, meditate, and consider the mighty miraculous works of God. God’s deeds are mighty. He has delivered His children He loves deeply. God exceeds any other option, source, or power in the entire Universe!
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God! (Click Here for Song by Michael W Smith)
MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA