Look And Listen For God's Blessings

"Today's Devotion" For July 28, 2006

Read: Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 46

LOOK AND LISTEN FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble...The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress...Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:1, 7, 10a)

Certainly you would agree with me that life is full of uncertainties. Picking up a daily newspaper in any city in the United States today one can read about wars - in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq - not to speak of all the genocide and other non-entity wars that are affecting nations all over the world, particularly in Africa. Skirmishes and uprisings in parts of the world most people barely know exist are going on all the time. People's lives are in turmoil, refugees are fleeing from fields of death and destruction, and malnutrition, famine, disease, and a host of other deadly consequences of humanity's sinfulness are to be found everywhere.

We don't just find that turmoil on the pages of our newspapers or blaring out of our televisions and radios. Turmoil is all around us. If we look next door, down the street, or across town we will find people whose lives are in turmoil. They may face dangers to their safety and well-being from violence on our streets, from drugs, from illness and disease, from poverty, the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a host of other challenges to human comfort and existence; to peace of mind and a life of hopefulness.

As of today, in our house, we're facing the loss of a job - my wife, Susan, may not be teaching this year because it looks as if her school may end up being closed due to administrative neglect in keeping accurate financial records required for state funding assistance. That means the loss, as of Tuesday, of our health insurance as well as better than half our income. In all truthfulness, while holding out hope of a reversal of the situation, there is a nagging doubt and a fear that things have gone "south." While on side of the coin, trusting God's purpose and provision is not open for debate, on the other hand, doubt and fear of "tomorrow" are certainly lingering in the back of our minds and hearts.

Yet, God's encouragement for His children, under any and all circumstances, is never-ending and powerful. As the Sons of Korah extolled Israel, in the face of its enemies, to remember that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," (Psalm 46:1), so also do they extol us to the same confident hope and trust. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, gives us encouragement to trust that no matter what happens in our lives our Father in heaven has not forgotten us and we don't need to worry about the necessities needed to live.

With all the voices that assail our ears, and all the "contrary" evidence that appears to show us that we're on our own, it's easy to get lost in our fears and anxieties about the troubles and challenges of our lives. Yet the greatest of all challenges and troubles, the power of Sin, death, and Satan, have been overcome and defeated by Jesus for us in His suffering, death, and resurrection. By the power of God's Word and Spirit, faith in Christ has been worked in our hearts so that we can face any trouble, any challenge, and any fear with confidence that God loves us and holds us firmly in the palm of His hand.

As the din of doubt assails our ears and hearts, God calls to us and exhorts us to "be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10a). I am always with you, I will never forsake you, and I promise that you will have all that you need to sustain your life - food, clothing, shelter, forgiveness, and hope." As we face a world increasingly filled with violence, hatred, despair, uncertainty, and a host of other human-sponsored maladies (so what's changed since Cain killed Abel?), God's children, redeemed in Christ, have the sure and certain hope that we are not forsaken, that God knows what's happening in our lives, and that He will accomplish His purpose for us in the face of all opposition and trouble. Filled with that assurance, therefore, and as dearly beloved children of our Father in heaven who has made us His own in Holy Baptism, we are empowered by faith and the power of His Spirit to look and listen for His blessings at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances. "Be still and know that I am God."

Prayer: Father, when the troubles of life and the world assail my ears, eyes, and sensibilities with ever increasing intensity, it's really hard for me to "be still and know that (You) are God." I'm more inclined to fret and worry, fall into doubt and despair, and try to find solutions to such challenges in all the wrong places. While I believe Your promises to deliver me from evil and provide me with all that I need to support this body and life, my sinful nature puts intense pressure on me to solve my own problems and seek my own solutions without any concern for Your will in my life. When the troubles of life hit me square in the jaw, it's just to easy to "hit the canvas," wallow in self-pity, and stay down for the count. Forgive me, gracious Father, for such acts and thoughts of unbelief. Strengthen my faith so that I may more surely trust in You for deliverance and hope. Help me to be a living witness to Your provision for the health of body, soul, and spirit for Your children, so that others might be led to know that same provision as well in Jesus. Hear me, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.