Today, I needed a break. So I got up from my new home-office desk, formerly known as the dining room table, and decided to take a walk outside. It was beautiful. The morning air still had a crispness to it. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and the green leaves still had enough dew on them to sparkle in the sunlight. Beautiful. And as I walked and continued to be struck by the beauty in God’s creation, a peace settled over me. And I found myself crying out to God: Help Me! The world you have created is so beautiful. Help me to find the beauty and stop getting caught up in the negativity.
I have noticed that I am becoming caught in the negativity that is plaguing our country. I am beginning to feel more anger and even hate towards “the other side” on whatever the issue may be. As I walked, I asked God to take this away from me, let me focus back on His world, not the mess that we have created. And I began to resolve to stop looking at Facebook, to stop watching the media and to pray more.
And then I came across Sharlene, an older lady who was also taking a walk (a short walk just two driveways down from her house). We said good morning and commented on what a beautiful day it was. And instead of continuing on my walk I paused for a moment to enjoy the beauty with her. And Sharlene, who I had never met or spoken to before, told me that she starts every day by reading the bible. And today she read:
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Psalm 118:24
My entire being rejoiced as she spoke, because the words she was saying resonated with exactly what I had just been thinking and praying to God. I was uplifted and filled with joy by this chance encounter. We chatted for a while longer and then continued in our opposite directions.
And when I arrived back home to my desk/dining room table, I opened the Bible to read the rest of Psalm 118. And what a clear answer to my prayer it is:
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his mercy endures forever.
Let Israel say:
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say,
his mercy endures forever.
Let those who fear the LORD say,
his mercy endures forever.
In danger I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is with me; I am not afraid;
what can mortals do against me?
The LORD is with me as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on my foes.
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in mortals.
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me;
in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
They surrounded me on every side;
in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
They surrounded me like bees; they burned up like fire among thorns;
in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
I was hard pressed and falling,
but the LORD came to my help.
The LORD, my strength and might, has become my savior.
The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand works valiantly; the LORD’s right hand is raised;
the LORD’s right hand works valiantly.”
I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the LORD.
The LORD chastised me harshly, but did not hand me over to death.
Open the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and thank the LORD.
This is the LORD’s own gate, through it the righteous enter.
I thank you for you answered me;
you have been my savior.
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad.
LORD, grant salvation!
LORD, grant good fortune!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God and has enlightened us.
Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, I give you thanks;
my God, I offer you praise. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his mercy endures forever.
Psalm 118
“In danger I called on the Lord.” I have been in danger. In danger from the world around me. Not so much the physical danger, as much as my soul has been in danger. And no mask can protect me or others from that. But the Lord is with me and has answered me! How great is our God!! He has set me free!
The words in this psalm are so powerful! “What can mortals do against me?” Nothing. Nothing if I am right with God. “Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in mortals. Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in princes.” No politician can save us. We need to put our trust and hope in God, not any politician, democrat or republican. In God we trust! If only our country would turn back to this. I cannot control the country, but I can control me: In God I trust! I can resist the negative temptations of the world:
All the nations surrounded me;
in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
They surrounded me on every side;
in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
They surrounded me like bees; they burned up like fire among thorns;
in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
This is truly the day the Lord has made. The beauty that surrounds us is all created by God. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us stop looking for sorrow and anger. Let us stop focusing on the negativity. God is great! His mercy endures forever! Thank God for that because our own mercy towards each other is short tempered and short lived!
God,
You are amazing! Thank you for this beautiful day! Thank you for opening my eyes and answering my prayers. You alone are my God. In you alone I put my trust! Help me to keep my eyes focused on you! There is so much to rejoice about with you, so much to be thankful for!
Sufficient Grace 