A Closer Walk
Lately it seems about all we hear is doom and gloom and gloom and doom. Are things really that bad? Is the sky falling? Is the world coming to an end? Well, the sky is not falling (as we learned from Chicken Little). The world will eventually come to an end (the scriptures tell us so). But ask yourself, if I didn't listen to the news every day, how would I see the world?
If we are gainfully employed the paychecks continue to roll in. If we are retired the Social Security checks continue to arrive in our bank accounts. The farmers have completed their wheat harvest and some are making bales and picking them up. If we are out and about in the countryside we will see lots of activity in the fields and on the roads. So it might be good to remember this passage from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, " 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'," Jeremiah 29:11 NASB.
The Lord knows the plans that He has for us. Plans for welfare and not for calamity. To give us a future, and a hope. Try this experiment. Turn off news broadcasts, both television and radio (but continue to read the Blade so you keep up on local news, and listen to KNCK). If you do this for a few days you may discover, as I did, that your blood pressure has come down and your outlook on life is better.
Regardless of what we may hear on national media the sky is not falling. And the world will come to an end eventually (but likely not today). But for us who are the children of God, we would do well to remember that this world is not our home. Shucks, we are just passing through; on our way to a much better place.
“My heart is steadfast O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; And I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. For Thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; And Thy truth reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Thy glory above all the earth,” Psalm 108:1-5 NASB. If we turn our focus toward our God from whatever the news of the day happens to be, our attitude and outlook will change.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion...The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness...the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,” Psalm 103:1-4, 8 and 17 NASB. Bless the Lord and forget none of His benefits. Those benefits include but are not limited to: He pardons all our iniquities and heals our diseases. He redeems our life from the pit; and He crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. And that lovingkindness is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. And His righteous to our children's children.
Meanwhile, this world is not our home. We are just passing through. On our way to a much better place. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and that is within me, bless His holy name!