Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:6-8
Heavenly Father, today’s a good day to remember that no circumstances or people have to change for my heart to be filled with your joy. Your name is Abba, Father, not Sugar, Daddy. I disavow Satan’s impudent insolent lie that the only reason we, your children, love you, is because you buy our affections with “the good life.” I love an abundance of “carbs” (grain) and I enjoy a glass of good red wine as much as anyone, but my love for you does not depend upon you being a 24/7 convenience store for me.
Actually, the only reason I love you is because you bought me back-you redeemed my whole being out of sin and death with the perfect life of your Son, Jesus. I love you only because you first loved me and gave Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement and propitiation for my sins.
Though many are asking, “Who can show us any good? Where is your God now? How can you say God is good? Where was your God when….? How could your God possibly…? Why doesn’t your God…?” yet, Lord, I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Indeed, Father, there’s no safer place, in life or in death, than to be in Christ. Because you’ve hidden my life in Jesus, not a hair can fall from my head… not a breath can be taken from my lungs… not a beat can be missed by my heart… apart from your sovereign purposes and pleasure. And should I die this very day, my heart will forever proclaim, “My God has done all things well.”
Because the gospel is true, I humbly join the chorus that sings… “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” (Hab. 3:17-19)
So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most glorious and gracious name.