June 29, 2021 — Psalm 77

“Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”
And I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
    I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?” Psalm 77:9-13

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” (Corrie Ten Boom)

Note the change from despair to hope in Psalm 77 – the sudden change from verses 10 – 12. It is dramatic. It is jarring. What happens in our lives that changes our trust in God? Do we have emotional swings in our faith? Do we find that from day to day, or even from hour to hour, we move from despair to hope? Psalm 77 reminds us that we are people of memory and hope. And meditating upon scripture gives us the foundation to remind ourselves that mourning may come in the night, but joy will come in the morning.

Faith is no guarantee against the real possibility of despair, but even during despair, we will remember the G-d that has been our help in ages past.

Pastor Dave

June 28, 2021 — Psalm 73

“Truly God is good to the upright,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For they have no pain;
their bodies are sound and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are;
they are not plagued like other people.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes swell out with fatness;
their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues range over the earth.

Therefore the people turn and praise them,
and find no fault in them.^”  Psalm 73:1-10

“Prosperity of wicked men runs like a torrent past, and soon is spent.” (Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way)

Like the psalmist, we are tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common 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 the goodness of G-d. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Our thoughts and praises to G-d will fight against Satan’s temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be quickly shaken, and ready to fail from time to time. There are storms that will try the firmest anchors – waves that will shake the strongest foundation. 

Remember the disciples on the boat where Jesus is asleep on the stern.  Even with Jesus in the boat, the disciples are afraid – for they sorely underestimate the power of Jesus. Evil may win a skirmish or two – but the goodness of G-d will win the day.

Pastor Dave