I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people,
his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
(Psalm 85:8-9)
Life is difficult. It’s hard to navigate the ups and downs of daily life, even in the best of circumstances and situations —and frankly, circumstances and situations are rarely what we could call “best.” So how do we respond…how do we navigate…how do we do life well?
Many of the psalms are written in this same context of struggle, frustration and fear. And what these songs teach us is that frustration and hope can co-exist…fear and faith, joy and sorrow are not mutually exclusive. And this comforting truth is even MORE true in the daily lives of people who belong to a loving and powerful God!
In Psalm 85, the songwriter chooses to take a “long view” of history. Scholars differ as to when the song may have been written, and what exactly was going on in Israel’s history at the time, but the pattern of the psalm fits the long, repeated pattern of Israel’s story. He begins with a reflection on what God did for them in the PAST: showed favor to the land, restored the fortunes of the nation, forgave the sins of the people, and chose mercy over judgment (vs. 1-3). He then appeals to God to act in the same way in the PRESENT: restore and revive them again, show His love and salvation as He did before (vs. 4-7). And finally, the psalmist suggests a way forward to a better FUTURE: where the people listen, obey, and fear God; and where the Lord restores favor to both His land and His people (vs. 8-13).
The psalm isn’t simply reciting the details or depths of Israel’s current problems; instead, it offers a hopeful and helpful way of responding to those problems. They need to seek the Lord—listen to what He is saying to them in all of this. They need to humbly receive God’s healing and salvation, and offer Him all the glory in return. God promises peace, but the psalmist warns that it is for those who choose to respond with “faithfulness” instead of “folly” (vs. 8).
Each of us needs to figure out how to do life, regardless of the challenges we face. And we can choose the way of faithfulness or folly. We can’t ignore the pain and the problems and pretend they don’t matter. That would be folly! We can’t simply give up and give in to despair. That too would be folly for anyone who believes in a loving and powerful God! So how can we choose the way of faithfulness instead?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a perfect playbook to follow, but there is a perfect person to follow.
Toward the end of John’s gospel (John 14:1-14), we find an account of Jesus speaking with his disciples in the wake of some truly troubling news. He is about to be betrayed by one of them, taken from them suddenly, and they will then be left to carry on his mission in a world full of problems and pain. He reassures them by telling them “You know the way to the place I am going.” Thomas objects, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus tells him “I am the way.” Thomas knows the way because Thomas knows Jesus.
This week I received a poem from a member of our congregation that illustrates the choice of faithfulness. I am reprinting it here with her permission.
I’m Thirsting for Jesus
(by Amylyn Curtiss)
I’ve got a thirst I can’t explain
A hunger I can’t contain
My well has run dry
I’m searching for life
I’m thirsting for Jesus
I want his living water
A cup that runneth over
A passion I can live for
I thirst for Jesus
I once was weary
I once was worn
Alone and outcast
With a thirst for Jesus
I want his living water
A cup that runneth over
A passion I can live for
I thirst for Jesus
He is the living water
He is the living well
He’ll quench your thirst and hunger
If you thirst for Jesus
He is the Living Water
He is the living well
He’ll quench your thirst and hunger
If you thirst for Jesus
Come thirst for Jesus
Choosing faithfulness over folly means seeking God and listening to what He has to say; it means choosing peace over anxiety…hope over despair…faith over fear. It means that even if we DON’T know exactly where we are going, we DO know the way. Walking in faith means following Jesus wherever he is leading you. He is our hope. He is the Living Water. Always stay thirsty for Him.
Pastor Philip
Leave a Reply