Who Will Show Us Better Times?

As Emily and I are getting ready for work in the mornings, we usually have Good Morning America on the t.v. playing in the background. In recent weeks, politics have dominated the discussion on that show. Who will get the Republican nomination? Can our next President, Obama or someone else, finally fix the economy? Who will create jobs? Will our relations with other nations improve? In short, who will show us better times?

Funny you should ask. The bible has something to say on that subject in Psalm 4:6-8. "Many people say, 'Who will show us better times?' Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." I smirked a little as I read verse 6, because the question that many people were asking during David's day thousands of years ago is the exact same question that so many are still asking today, is it not?

I love David's response to the question of the people. The answer isn't in a political figure or an economic plan. No, David simply says "let your face smile on us, Lord." The Lord smiling on his people connotes that His favor is being shown to his people. All David needed was God's favor, and that was enough. It is enough for us today, too. If we have put our faith in Christ, we have God's favor on us.

Does this mean health, wealth, and prosperity is ours for the rest of our lives? No. David said, "You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine." I'm no biblical scholar, but I'm thinking that the equivalent to "abundant harvests of grain and new wine" for us today would be things like a surplus of money in our bank account, a healthy retirement plan, and the newest material items that the world has to offer. These things are fleeting, and those who God is smiling upon will have "greater joy" than those whose hope and faith are in the things of this world.

Not only will God's people have joy, they will have peace. It seems the worries of this world tend to bear down the strongest at bed time, when everything is quiet and it is just us and our thoughts. But, for the Christian, it can be different. "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you, O Lord, will keep me safe." Since our faith isn't in worldly things that change from day-to-day, or even minute-by-minute, we can have peace because God never changes. His favor always rests on his children because he sees Christ in us, and Christ fully pleases God. Spiritually, we are safe in His arms; nothing can take us out of His hands.

So, as you hear the political debates and commercials over the coming months, let it remind you of God's Word in Psalm 6. Who will show us better times? We can experience it every day as we trust in Christ who gives us greater joy and peace.

What are you delighting in?

I delight in numerous things in my life. I delight in my wife, who makes me smile everyday (and, who I've been married to for almost seven months now!). I delight in my family, who makes me laugh and has surrounded me with love for 28 years. I delight in music, particularly drums and rhythms. Emily laughs when I try to beat box or play a rhythm on the steering wheel, but I am constantly thinking of different rhythms and songs throughout the day! I delight in Alabama football, which hopefully will bring me, and all Crimson Tide fans, much delight this coming Monday night...RTR! I delight in helping high school students with their college and career choices. It's gratifying to help them overcome hurdles to get them where they want to go in life.

Psalm 1:1, 2 says, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night." (emphasis mine)

As I read these two verses that begin the entire book of Psalms, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me, "You delight in many things. How much do you 'delight in the law of the Lord' throughout your day and night?

Delighting in the law of the Lord has wonderful benefits. People who do "are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do." (Psalm 1:3) That's what I want my life to look like. I want to be like a tree with "roots [that] grow down into God's love and keep you strong." (Eph. 3:17) I want to bear fruit each season, whether that season brings sunny days and good times, or stormy days and bad times. I want my life to be prosperous for the kingdom of God. I want these things, but how much do I delight in God and His Word in comparison with the things of this world that are fading away?

I hope you will take a moment to stop and think about the things you delight in. They can be good things...very good things. I enjoy delighting in the things I listed at the top of this post. But, also think about how much you delight in God's Word. Day and night, let us meditate on it, talk about it, share it, ponder it, pray it back to God (see my previous post), and delight in it.

Prayer and Action

A few days ago, I wrote about the obedience of the Israelites after their exile from and return to Jerusalem. The man who led them during this time as their governor, Nehemiah, was an incredible leader. While it's easy to focus on his actions of leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and gates in just a matter of 52 days, it's his prayer life that really stands out to me.

In Nehemiah 1:4, he says that "for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven," after he heard about the Jews return to Jerusalem, and the city walls and gates being destroyed. God puts a plan in Nehemiah's heart to go to Jerusalem and lead his fellow Jews in rebuilding the city walls and gates (Neh. 2:12), but he must get King Artaxerxes' permission first since he was the king's cup-bearer. Nehemiah then prays a prayer that stands as a model for our prayer life as well. I've broken it down into four sections: Adoration, Confession, Praying God's Word, and Supplication.

Adoration

"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer. Look down and see me praying for your people Israel." (Neh. 1:5, 6)

Confession

"I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses." (Neh. 1:6, 7)

Praying God's Word

"Please remember what you told your servant Moses: 'If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.'" (Neh. 1:8, 9)

Supplication

"The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me." (Neh. 1:10, 11)

We tend to be good at the Supplication part of praying, but when we realize who we are praying to and tell Him who He is (Adoration), readily admit our sins (Confession), and remind God of His very own promises (Praying God's Word), our desires will begin to line up with God's desires for us.

Nehemiah prayed in all situations, when facing kings (Neh. 2:4), in the midst of mockery (Neh. 4:4, 5), and while taking action (Neh. 4:9). Let us follow his example and let prayer cover our decisions, our actions, and our lives.