“Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.² But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. ³ For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For they have no pain; their bodies are sound and sleek. ⁵ They are not in trouble as others are; they are not plagued like other people. ⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. ⁷ Their eyes swell out with fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. ⁸ They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. ⁹ They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues range over the earth.” Psalm 73:1-9

Like the psalmist, we are tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common human temptation, which is very trying on our hearts, our minds, and our graces. But we cannot forget one principle, which the psalmist lays down – it is because of the goodness of G-d that anyone, whether good or evil, will prosper. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Our thoughts and praises to G-d should always be greater than the temptation to seek after more and more stuff. However, the thoughts and the faith of even the strongest of believers can be quickly distracted, or shaken, and ready to fail from time to time. There are storms that will pop up from time to time that will seek to destroy the anchors of our faith. Remember the disciples on the boat where Jesus is asleep on the stern? What we learn is that, even with Jesus in the boat, the disciples were afraid – because they completely underestimated the power of Jesus’ presence. In the midst of the storms of life, we learn to lash ourselves to Jesus and ride through the valley of the shadow of death to new life in and through Christ.

Pastor Dave

“Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me! ² Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. ³ Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back because of their shame. ⁴ Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” ⁵ But I am poor and needy;     hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer;  O Lord, do not delay!” Psalm 70:1-5

Psalm 70 is traditionally used during Holy Week, and gives us specific reminders (in the words “Aha, Aha!”) of the mocking that Jesus encountered by those who stood by making fun of him during the crucifixion. It is during Holy Week that we are reminded of our utter dependence on G-d – to deliver us from those who persecute us and those who desire our ruin. “Let G-d be exalted.”  “G-d is Great. But I am poor and needy. Come quickly Lord.” 

Yes, Jesus was crucified. But G-d raised him from the dead, exalted him above all things, and placed him next to the throne of G-d. Death has been defeated once and for all. We come through Holy Week to the empty tomb, experiencing the words “G-d is our help and deliverer.” The G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has acted to deliver all people from the bonds of death, the bonds of evil, and the sting of death through Jesus Christ. And G-d accomplished all this through the cross. G-d did what G-d always promised, just not the way people thought G-d would do it. As such, we have reason every day to exclaim “G-d is Great!”

Pastor Dave