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.