KNOCKED OFF YOUR FEET?

Good morning everyone.

 

Here is today's Bible lesson:

 

KNOCKED OFF YOUR FEET?

 

READ:

Psalm 116:1-6

 

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

-Psalm 46:1

 

Because I've written many articles and a book about dealing with life's losses, I have the privilege of being introduced to a number of fellow strugglers along life's journey.  One of my new friends is a mom whose 21- year - old daughter died suddenly in 2009, which sent her reeling.  She told me, "I feel like an outcast from the normal world.  I feel crushed and my soul is in so much pain."

 

Indeed the losses that visit us can knock us off our feet-whether a death in the family, a child who walks away from God and family, or a physical or mental setback.

 

Yet what I've discovered is something musician Jeremy Camp made clear in a song he wrote after the death of his wife in 2001:  When you are knocked off your feet by life's difficulties, remember that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).  That's reason enough to get back up again.  Camp described his struggle in the song called "Understand."  He asked, "Why don't I get back on my feet again?" And he recognized that he could because "I know You understand it all."

 

When trouble knocks us down, we can look up.  God is there.  He understands and cares.  It's not easy, but we can trust Him to help us get back on our feet again. -Dave Branon

 

Lift up your eyes, despairing one,

The Lord your help will be;

You have a friend in heaven who cheers,

And calms the troubled sea. -Anon.

*****************************************************

There is no place where earth's sorrows

are felt more than in heaven.

 

INSIGHT

Psalm 116 reflects upon God's trustworthiness.  God is to be worshiped even when distress has entered our lives (vv.1-4).  The psalmist reminds us that only God's mercy can remedy the problems we face (vv. 5-8).  Other human beings will most certainly let us down, but God can be trusted with complete confidence (vv.10-11).  Worship can redirect our focus to the living God (vv. 11-17).  The psalmist's reference to being a servant speaks of our coventantal relationship with God (v.16).  Finally, the psalmist turns his attention to the Holy City of Jerusalem (vv. 18-19).  We await the New Jerusalem as our eternal home (Revelation 21:2).

 

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator's Love Always

Unity & Peace