Secure, Shaken, Singing
We had the light snow last night the we predicted and now the afternoon snow is consistently falling. During my “snow day” I was able to finish a Hillsdale College course on the constitution. I also made it out to the fitness center for a workout with my trainer and then came home to shovel snow off the driveway. By the time I finished with the driveway, I noticed the sidewalk our neighbor shoveled was already getting covered over with another layer of snow.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “When I was secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when You showed Your favor, You made me stand like a strong mountain; when You hid Your face, I was terrified. Lord, I called to You, I sought favor from my Lord…” Psalm 30:6-8
When I read verses like the ones above, they get my attention. I can readily recall possessing the sense of security in my physical health and overall well-being and then finding myself in desperation in the midst of a life threatening bout with West Nile Virus, calling out to the Lord for His favor and healing. What I found was God’s favor makes us strong for times of joy and gladness and stability; but God’s favor is also revealed in the challenges of life.
Often when life is “good” we fail to recognize it as from the favor of the Lord. When life is bad or takes an unexpected turn we feel that we are outside of the “favor” of the Lord; we feel the Lord has “hidden His face” and we can panic and lose our perspective.
When our secure life is found in shambles, it shakes us and “terrifies” us. The future is uncertain and the all kinds of questions can echo in our minds.
I almost chuckle at the rationale of the psalmist as he tells the Lord, “What gain is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your truth? Lord, listen and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper.” (Psa. 30:9-10 HCSB) It seems the psalmist is telling God how it is to His benefit to rescue Him.
My friend David Holden, who was such a help during illness, is the son of a well-known Colorado minister from years back. David’s father was active in ministry when he was suddenly laid up with a stroke. I recall visiting him in the hospital and in typical “Holden humor” he said, “I’ve been laying here reminding the Lord, what a great testimony it would be and how much praise He will receive if I get healed!”
When the Lord does intervene, we are to recognize His favor and give Him the praise He deserves. In this Psalm we see a description of security, a time of crisis and the recovery on the other end.
“You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.” (Psa. 30:11-12 HCSB)
The Lord is the One who can turn the circumstances of life around. When I am in a church service and can sing, I am reminded of those days when my vocal cords and throat muscles were so weak, I couldn’t talk very well, let alone sing. For me the Lord has not only given me reason the sing in worship to Him, He has granted me the ability to sing.
When life is good and you feel insulated from the turmoil of life, realize that is from the favor of the Lord. When that security and confidence is shattered unexpectedly, realize that the Lord is still with you, His favor is available and He will turn sorrow into gladness once again.