Unshackled Moments ~ January 29, 2018 ~ Don't Lose Heart

One of my readings this morning happened to be Psalm 27. For those unfamiliar with it, this is one of the Psalms of trouble and lament. David, who was called a man after God's own heart, had a life filled with trouble and often had the blues. There are over 60 Psalms of lament, well over a third of his writing. If we stop and think about that, it goes quite contrary to what we often feel should be the case and, unfortunately, what we are often taught in modern spirituality, even Christianity.

Life is better with a relationship with Daddy. Only God Himself can fill the hole in our lives and satisfy our need. Nothing else works, and those of us who are in recovery should know that well. We surely tried to meet those needs ourselves in various ways, many of them destructive. Life is better when we place our lives in God's care and under His will. But that doesn't mean that life is always easy or goes our way, just because we are following Jesus and doing as the Spirit has led us to do. In fact, our circumstances may often seem and feel worse than ever.

It sometimes may feel like God is not there or doesn't care what we are going through as we face overwhelming obstacles, difficulties and even enemies. But God does indeed care for us and about what we are facing and going through. He does work whatever happens in our life to bring us into deeper relationship with Him and, ultimately, for good, no matter how bad life may get. But the benefit of having a Heavenly Daddy who loves us and cares for us and who is truly good is not just a hope for some time in the eternal future some glad morning when this life is over.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

- Psalm 27:13

David, looking back at his life filled with enemies, including a king he loved and served who tried to kill him, all kinds of family problems, and the loss of close friends and children, said he was able to hold onto hope, to not lose heart, because he knew he would  see and experience the goodness of God in this side of eternity. And he did.  And so can we and will we, if we keep our eyes on Him and turn to Him in our times of trouble.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in self when life goes awry. Why is this happening? It's not fair. It hurts and is frightening. When we focus only on ourselves and our circumstances, it's easy to feel alone. But do not lose hope. Turn your eyes on Jesus, and regardless of the circumstances and situation, the Spirit of all comfort can reassure our heart that God is indeed good and that we will experience that goodness in the land of the living when we put our hope and trust in Him.

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