God, Anxiety, Laughter, and Hope

This year our Bible reading is from the Psalms, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. I want to share some thoughts from our reading this week, Psalm 37-41. I also want to encourage all of us to spend even more time in God’s word as we begin a new week.

1.     When God Laughs it is no laughing matter.  That’s one thing that stood out to me in Psalm 37:13. The text says, “The Lord laughs at him, For He sees his day is coming.” Who is God laughing at and why? David was speaking about the wicked. The wicked will plot their wicked schemes. But God will judge. They will not get away with their evil. When God laughs it is no laughing matter! We can take heart in knowing God sees all things.

2.     “I am full of anxiety because of my sin.” These are some of David’s words in Psalm 38.  In this chapter he speaks a great deal about his sin.

a.     “There is no health in my bones because of my sin”, Verse 3.

b.     “For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me,” Verse 4.

c.     “My wounds grow foul and fester because of my folly,” Verse 5.

d.     Sin brings a lot of negative consequences. It can affect us in ways we might not always think about. Our Father knows what’s best for us, and this is reason to listen to Him and to avoid sin. Are you full of anxiety? Is it due to sin? There is something you can do if it is: confess to God. That’s what David did.

3.     “My hope is in You.” As we read the Psalms, it is apparent that David put His hope in God. These words stood out to me in Psalm 40:7. While certain situations of David’s life may be different than ours, he faced challenging times just as we do. Where is our hope? In money? In the U.S.A.? In our own strength? Our hope can ultimately be in the true and living God!

4.     “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.” These words made me think of Psalm chapter 1 and the Sermon on the Mount. We all want to be blessed. David tells us how we can be blessed! We can be blessed when we put our trust in God. But why? Because God is faithful. He does what He says He will do. God always has our best intentions in mind. God loves us. Trust in Him.