We are born for something more
Psalm 39
For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.”Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath.Interlude
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.
Life as we know it – is all we know … until … we are born again.
Then our Spirit comes alive and aware – aware that God exists, and He is here – aware God is present and hears all we say and sees all we do.
Like a light turning on and expelling the darkness, so our Spiritual eyes suddenly see.
God IS in our midst.
God is watching – how we act, how we speak, how we spend, how we give, how we think … Nothing is now hidden …
It makes me so aware to ask God – God what do you want me to do? God how much do you want me to give?
What does faith look like in your world? Do you live safe, living for “just in case”, “a rainy day”, or do you truly trust that God holds your tomorrow. He can provide miraculously. Do you live your life expecting a miracle, placing yourself where you need God to come through …
I always remember a story in a book called “The Night of a Million Miracles”. The inside “story of project pearl” when in the 1981, Open Doors smuggled a million bibles (232 tonnes) into China. It tells of a connection in China, a man who spent time in prison in China for preaching the gospel. God used a “rat” to bring him an egg each night, and then an apple (no bites out of it!!). Amazing miracles, because of amazing faith.
Lord, help me to be a person who lives by faith, believing you for all that I need. In your name Jesus I pray, Amen.
Written by Ps. Sue Botta