- 1 Chronicles 14, 15, 16:1-6
- Psalm 88:14 - 89:2
- Proverbs 17:28 - 18:2
- Acts 12:20 - 13:13
Selected Passage: Psalm 88
"The darkness is my closest friend." Wow. Have you ever felt like that? The Psalmist describes such pain, loneliness, despair, and longing for God's comfort that would lead one to think he has lost faith. But yet, what does he continue to do, in spite of the hardships he has faced? He continues to call out to God for help. He clearly recognizes that his pain is ordained of God. He doesn't dispute the fact that God is in his right to dole out the circumstances as He sees fit. He eloquently pleads his case before God almighty for relief. We are all tempted to turn to somewhere - anywhere - except to God when life spins out of our control? Alcohol, sex, drugs, work, etc, can all be a dead-end means to escape. Often we fall to the temptation to retreat into ourselves. We blame God. We blame others. We blame ourselves. We throw blame around like litter flies out of the bed of a pick up truck speeding down the highway. In so doing we leave an ugly mess behind and our condition remains the same if not the worse for it.
When we take the example of the Psalmist and submit ourselves completely to the One Who is in control, only then, can we experience the good that is promised to those who love Him. I am fond of saying:
"If God can make man out of dirt, then he can make good out of hurt."
Oh, but wait, you have to believe in creation - not evolution - to believe that... good thing I do! But that's a whole other topic....
