Time in the Word ~ Psalm 6:9

In this world there is much uncertainty and we have learned to call it the “risk factor”. There were days not so long ago that everyone thought house prices could only go up, debt and deficits didn’t really matter, if I lost my job I can get a new one quickly, and my retirement is safe in my 401 account. Well, now we know the truth that house prices can go down, debt and deficits are a financial Armageddon, jobs are precious and essential in 21st century America to even maintaining our health care, and our retirement is on shaky ground with our 401 turned into a 201 account with the precipitous fall of the stock market. In summary, much of what Americans depended on as rock solid now looks more like Swiss cheese to the sober-minded person.

So now we know the truth of which Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:17: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” What Paul said 2000 years ago certainly holds true today, that we will squander our peace of mind and calmness of soul if we put our hope in money and not in God’s ability to provide for all of our needs. The world will tell you that you are silly to depend upon God, and that you can only trust your own resources! Tell that to the millions of wrecked lives who sought to protect themselves and their future with money that melted away or vaporized in the continuing financial crisis we as a nation and as a world are mired in.

So it is with great relief and comfort we come to our devotional text in Psalm 6, which addresses David’s request for penitence from God because his enemies in this world had made him feel the wrath and anger of his God to a point that his physical body ached to his bones, and he grew weak in what was clearly a state of emotional, mental, and physical distress. The key point I want us all to learn from Psalm 6 is where David went in his weakened, lonely, and exhausted state: David turned to God, and when he did, he was absolutely certain that God would hear his cry for mercy and accept his prayer for his present relief. The world and all that is in it is quite uncertain, but the love of God for each one of us is guaranteed no matter what we have done, or how low we have sunk, or how far we have drifted. God is on his throne and he is in control and he awaits our call for mercy. Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing in this universe will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Remember David, who when sick to his body and soul with the overwhelming distress and defeat of an uncertain world, turned to the certainty of God’s love and power to regain his strength, peace, and joy in this life. We as Christians must make a decision when confronted with life’s uncertain roller coaster: do we turn inward to our own weakness, or do we lift our heads in prayer to the God of all glory who will hear us and respond to us every time at our point of need? Whenever in trouble, my friend, pray to God (James 5:13) with God’s assurance that God will hear, God will act, and God will sustain you through the difficulties and complexities of life.

TODAY, FATHER, I TRUST IN YOUR CERTAIN LOVE AND YOUR PROMISE TO STRENGTHEN ME THROUGH EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE I ENCOUNTER IN THIS WORLD FILLED WITH UNCERTAINTY.

Article Source: Mike White @ Summit Church of Christ