August 27, 2021 — Psalm 77:1–78:53, Acts 8:4–24

“Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? ⁸ Has his steadfast love ceased forever? Are his promises at an end for all time? ⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” ¹⁰ And I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

¹¹ I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old. ¹² I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. ¹³ Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God? ¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. ¹⁵ With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.” Psalm 77:7-15

Note the change in tone in this Psalm, from despair to hope in Psalm 77 in verses 10 – 12. The Psalmist goes from lamenting that G-d’s love has ceased to be known in his life, to praising the greatness of G-d. There obviously is the belief that, even though we will hit stretches in our lives where it seems as if G-d has forgotten about us, this ultimately is not true.

What happens in our lives that changes our trust in G-d? Do we have emotional swings in our faith? Do we find that from day to day, or even from hour to hour, do we find that we move from despair to hope regularly?

Psalm 77 reminds us that we are people of memory but also people of hope. Faith is no guarantee against the real possibility of despair, but even in the midst of despair, we will remember the words of that old hymn, that G-d that has been our help in ages past – and will continue to be our help, and our hope.

Let us Pray,

O G-d our help in ages past, you continue to be my help even when the winds of misfortune blow and buffet my life. Help me to meditate on your mighty deeds today, tomorrow, and into eternal life. Amen

Pastor Dave

August 26, 2021 — Psalm 73:1–76:12   

“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 pull up the anchors of our faith. Remember the disciples on the boat where Jesus is asleep on the stern?

What we learn is that, like the disciples with Jesus in the boat, we too become fearful. Help us in the midst of the storms of life. Help us to remember to lash ourselves to Jesus and ride through the valley of the shadow of death to new life in and through Christ.

Let us Pray,

Lord, even in the midst of storms, you bring a peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me not to be envious of those who prosper, but to be thankful for the blessings I have today. Amen.

Pastor Dave