The Lord God of Jacob blesses everyone who trusts him and depends on him.
6 God made heaven and earth;
he created the sea and everything else.
God always keeps his word.
7 He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free 8 and heals blind eyes.
He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls.
The Lord loves good people 9 and looks after strangers.
He defends the rights of orphans and widows,
but destroys the wicked.
10 The Lord God of Zion will rule forever!
Shout praises to the Lord! Psalm 146:5-10 (CEV)
Lectionary texts: Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11
Bad things happen in this life. It is not a question of “if” disease, death, war, destruction, and suffering will happen but “when.” Who are you going to trust to be there for you? Who are you going to trust to guide you over treacherous paths? Who do you know you can trust for all that you may need?
Myself. Oh how long I tried this option! I am an educated person who has been raised in a good home in the Midwest. With just some common sense and the brain that God gave me, I can figure my problems out. I can find a solution. Right? Pushing and pulling others to fall in with my plan and twisting myself into who I thought I needed to be still left me falling short of success.
My spouse. Counting on any single person to make me happy is setting them up for failure and me for disappointment. It is not my husband’s job to make me happy. It is not his job to fix everything and protect me from all pain and suffering. He will fail at it. He was created to be my partner and covenant mate. That is what he is good at because God made it so.
My LORD. My LORD created the earth and everything in it, including me. He is trustworthy. He keeps His promises. He has always been and will always be. God is loving. I can lean on Him with any burden and He can bear the load. Even before I am aware that I need Him, God is there. God is just. He will defend those who are in need. The wicked will be destroyed. Evil will be destroyed.
Trust is found in a living, growing relationship. It needs time and attention. My trust in the LORD will grow as we spend time together talking and listening to each other. As I learn who the LORD is, I will learn His heart and His plan for my life. I will begin to see His Kingdom through His eyes.
The lectionary texts this week continuing the Advent theme to prepare the way for our Savior. Let us prepare our hearts by opening them to receive God’s Spirit that will fill us with the truth of who He is. We can trust Him.
His Eye is on the Sparrow written by Civilla Martin & Charles Gabriel (1905) sung by Lauryn Hills & CeCe Winans
