Sunday Musings: Now would be a good time to explore your faith
Things are crazy in the world, but almost all of these things are manmade. It’s difficult to step outside of the news cycle and focus on higher things. Too often, it seems easier to absorb all of it and have a nice big panic attack.
But that’s a waste of energy.
If we believe that there is something beyond this, we have to have faith that that higher entity has better plans for us. For those who don’t believe, what do you have to lose to at least ponder it? Honestly, putting all our trust — or our loathing — in individuals who may not always have our best interests in mind doesn’t seem very productive. It couldn’t hurt to seek solace outside the human realm.
The prophet Jeremiah says this about putting too much trust in fellow humans:
Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the wasteland
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in lava beds in the wilderness,
a land, salty and uninhabited.
Yes, that sounds quite harsh. But here’s the follow-up:
Blessed are those who trust in the LORD;
the LORD will be their trust.
They are like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It does not fear heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still produces fruit.
We think nobody understands our conflicted emotions, but God does:
More tortuous than anything is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, explore the mind
and test the heart,
Giving to all according to their ways,
according to the fruit of their deeds.
Things are crazy. Maybe putting trust in a higher being can stop the insanity.
Have a great week.
The 23rd psalm was the alternate for this Sunday. So comforting in times of trouble. ♥️
Indeed. I often repeat line 3 from Psalm 146
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
We can't trust a politician or a political party to lead or save us. True security and guidance come from God alone. The current struggles and outright calamities can draw us closer to God and underscore the fallibility of our earthly leaders.
Full Psalm
Praise the Lord, My Soul
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
8The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
9The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.