Graphics from Canva.
This month I have been writing a fiction story based on the life of my grandmother who died when I was 2 years old. There is a lot about her that I don’t know. But I have heard many stories over the years from my mom, who was her youngest child. I have also learned a lot from reading a book of the history of her family starting with 4 brothers who came to this country from Scotland in the 1700’s. Not much is written in the format of a story, but rather a genealogical format where each person has a number and/or a letter that you can follow through. For most people you at least get the dates of birth, marriage, death. Sometimes profession as well. (Our family once owned the book but it has been lost in moves and deaths, etc. Now it is online and has been a treasure. It was written in the mid-1950’s)
God’s steadfast, covenant love for us is so easily taken for granted
As I have been writing, I have been hit with the truth of Psalm 69. As I have written about her life and the people in it and as I look back over almost 80 years of my life, the steadfast love of the Lord has been overwhelming. It constantly comes to me. Yes, there have been times when I wondered if God loved me. But the caricature that God is sitting in heaven waiting to ruin our fun is so false! It is simply that we take for granted so many of the ways God has shown His love for us. Don’t you think?
I know I have often taken for granted my salvation. The fact that He has forgiven me and I can live a life where I am not condemned anymore because He took on Himself all the condemnation I deserved on the cross. But then I meet someone who has never known that forgiveness and lives under a cloud of guilt and I realize just how much I take for granted. God’s steadfast love for me has been there all the time. I just wasn’t paying attention.
When you read a Psalm like this, do you identify with David and his thoughts?
- I often find myself in a panic when something difficult happens. Verses 1-6 describe his panic and the enormity of his distress, don’t they?
- Then I have to talk myself down just like David does in verses 6-7 as he reminds God and himself who he is trusting in.
- In verses 9-12, he reminds God of the extent of his grief and distress again.
- But in verses 13-21, he remembers God’s steadfast love for him and prays, asking for deliverance from his distress. Of course, he has been praying already. he describes how he has been hurt by his enemies.
- Then in verses 22-28, he asks for God to punish his enemies for what they have done.
- And in the end in verses 29-36, he is able to praise God for who He is and what He has done.
I will praise the name of GOD with a song;
I will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
This will please the LORD more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.
When the humble see it they will be glad;
You who seek GOD, let your hearts revive.Psalm 69:30-32
Have you ever prayed these prayers before?
- Expressing the depth of your pain to God.
- Asking Him to punish your enemies because they are His enemies too.
- Reminding Him and yourself of who He is as you ask for deliverance from your distress.
- Worshipping and praising Him for who He is and what He has done as you wait for what He will do to answer your prayer.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving
as you remember
God’s steadfast love for you.
