Thinking Out Loud

There has been lots of interesting news stories of late.  The Pope resigns and, as usual, there are more than enough stories of violence and death just about everywhere in the country.  But there is also a lot of attention being given to the political infighting of our “leaders”.  I find myself stressing over what Washington is going to do about our financial woes and the social agenda for the nation that is amoral at best and sometimes blatantly immoral.  Like many, I find myself fearing the destination that waits at the end of the path our government leaders and society are choosing.

But I was encouraged this morning by reading Psalm 73.  I read it and re-read it then compared different translations and came away encouraged: not that things will turn out alright, but that no matter what mess we end up in, there is One above it all who loves me and will use the chaos for His glory and my ultimate good. 

To really get a glimpse of what that may look like I encourage you to read the entire Psalm.  Let Asaph’s description of his reality sink in and take shape in your mind.  Picture what his TV news shows may have looked like!  Try to imagine the headlines the daily papers might have ran.  In other words open your mind to think about what he was describing and listen to the Spirit to enlighten your understanding.  Allow Him to apply those thoughts and images to your own experience and then share in the conclusion drawn at the end of the Psalm.

“Whom do I have in heaven but you?

I desire no one but you on earth.

My flesh and my heart may grow weak,

but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.

But as for me, God’s presence is all I need.

I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter,

as I declare all the things you have done.” Psalm 73:25-26, 28 (NET Bible)

Do you see it?  No matter what disasters fill the headlines, regardless of the course our leaders may take us, whatever the attacks on our body, mind or spirit; “God always protects my heart and gives me stability, His presence is all I need.”

It’s not about the storm, it’s all about the shelter.