Present-day calamities have many people wondering if there is a God in charge who knows and cares. The ever-perplexing question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?", seems much in focus these days.
"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:13-19)
The Psalmist assures us of the LORD God's care and attention. He "fashions the hearts of them all", and "understands all their works." His eye is on "those who fear Him". And most reassuring is the promise that He will "deliver their soul from death And ... keep them alive in famine."
The theme of famine seems to pop up regularly in my reading lately. Earlier this week I read about God's provision for His people through Joseph, as recorded in Genesis. Recently I read about God's forewarning of a great famine through His prophets (Acts 11). Few things are as frightening as the prospect of serious food shortages - a very real threat in times of environmental change amidst a vast global population. But, God provides for His people even in these dire circumstances.
While present-day events have a certain prophetic ring to them, it would be presumptuous to label them THE last-day events. But, if there are, anyone with a fundamental knowledge of the Book of Revelation knows that end-time events include widespread death, disease, war, and famine. So the major concern is, what about the people of God? Will God protect and provide for His own?
Be reassured from Psalm 33. The LORD looks down from heaven today as He always has, and always will. He sees and understands. His eye is on those who fear Him; He is especially attentive to His people. While He has not promised to deliver His people from death, He promises to deliver our "soul" from it. In other words, He promises to deliver His people from final judgment and destruction.
We live in times of epic change and upheaval, but the God we serve is ever constant in love, protection, and provision.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:13-19)
The Psalmist assures us of the LORD God's care and attention. He "fashions the hearts of them all", and "understands all their works." His eye is on "those who fear Him". And most reassuring is the promise that He will "deliver their soul from death And ... keep them alive in famine."
The theme of famine seems to pop up regularly in my reading lately. Earlier this week I read about God's provision for His people through Joseph, as recorded in Genesis. Recently I read about God's forewarning of a great famine through His prophets (Acts 11). Few things are as frightening as the prospect of serious food shortages - a very real threat in times of environmental change amidst a vast global population. But, God provides for His people even in these dire circumstances.
While present-day events have a certain prophetic ring to them, it would be presumptuous to label them THE last-day events. But, if there are, anyone with a fundamental knowledge of the Book of Revelation knows that end-time events include widespread death, disease, war, and famine. So the major concern is, what about the people of God? Will God protect and provide for His own?
Be reassured from Psalm 33. The LORD looks down from heaven today as He always has, and always will. He sees and understands. His eye is on those who fear Him; He is especially attentive to His people. While He has not promised to deliver His people from death, He promises to deliver our "soul" from it. In other words, He promises to deliver His people from final judgment and destruction.
We live in times of epic change and upheaval, but the God we serve is ever constant in love, protection, and provision.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 9:37 AM
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