Psalm 33:18-22
“Watch this: God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together. We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got—that’s what we’re depending on.”
I read this passage yesterday, and it felt like a timely word given the current circumstances in the world at large. The unsure and worried feelings that many of us feel while the world economy plunges and no one seems to know how to fix it. There are so many questions without answers it seems, as we head into “lean times”. But God’s promise is clear. He WILL “rescue us in bad times”, and keep our “body and soul together”. But I don’t think God’s “rescue” is always what we think it is. It may be a rescue of the soul more than a rescue of our comfort & security. Perhaps this time should be one of reflection and dependence. A time when we should turn our hearts inward and examine the condition of our souls. Is our heavenly father our one dependence, or do we rely on our wealth, or our material things to bring us satisfaction, fulfillment, and safety? I think this is often the case for me, and if anything has struck me in the last half a year or so, as the walls we’ve built seem unsteady, it’s that when all else fails in this life, our one true foundation is Christ, and Christ alone. As the old song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of his glory & grace”… Be encouraged, God is in control of the world at large, but more importantly he cares for each of us, and will keep us safe under the shadow of his wings. - Jon.