March 6

Psalm 49: 1-20

Recently, I had a brief encounter with a friend from work. She walked into my office with her beaming face and luminous smile. I was sincerely happy to see her. She’s the type of person who makes you feel like you are one in a million. Yet, it didn’t take long for me to realize something was deeply wrong. I’m not sure what caused her to let down her guard, but when she did outcame an overflow of frustration and fear regarding her financial security. Not only that, she had been crying out to God to put her in a place where she could use her unique skill set and gifts to glorify Him. She didn’t need to verbalize how despondent she had become and how disgusted she was with where she was in life. Her eyes asked the question, “Has God forgotten me”?

We have all been in this place. Some of us are veterans! This is the place where we’re looking through the rear window of our lives, driving away from the fruition of our dreams. Perhaps for you, it came when the economy collapsed or through the loss of a job or spouse. Maybe your days were spent sowing into what felt like iron soil and your nights were void of rest. You may have tossed and turned wondering how you’d pay for the groceries or how you’d put your children through college. The answer to the sticky question, “Why me, God?” alludes us.

The writer of Psalm 49 asks this question instead, “Why should I fear when trouble comes, and when my enemies surround me?” The writer is making a bold statement. He is essentially saying, “I have absolutely no reason to doubt God. “ The obvious truth that we often lose grasp of is that there exists no intelligent reason to doubt God. And, there is no failure or trial great enough to rattle Him. Later on in the passage, the writer has become even more confident of his previous statement. He says, “But as for me, God will redeem my life, He will snatch me from the power of the grave.” Friend, He will always come through for you.

Blessings,

Lauryn