Dear RTB’ers,
I remember a sentence, a proverb from years ago, “If you feel far from God, guess who moved.” This wisdom has a good application in today’s psalm. The psalmist feels far from God: Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has His steadfast love forever ceased? Are His promises at an end for all time? (vv. 7-8) Although I have never actually felt so far from God as to ask those kinds of questions, I do wonder sometimes about His failure to act against what I consider to be clear wrongdoings. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is my best example. Why has God not worked to cause Russia’s defeat/withdrawal? Yes, I do wonder, but in the end I always remember, God is God and I am not.
The psalmist follows up his questioning in similar fashion, recalling God’s work for Israel: I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. (vv. 11-13a) He seems to be recalling the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt through the Red Sea (vv. 19-20), but he adds thunder, lightning and rain (vv. 17-18) that is not included in the Exodus account. I’m wondering if that adds comfort or confusion to their deliverance!
If you feel far from God, guess who moved!
Blessings.
Fred