A Positive Outlook

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”  Psalm 23:6

Life on this earth is full of trouble and turmoil.  No matter which way you turn, something is awry.  Now I don’t mean to sound so negative, because we do experience good times, joyous times, and peaceful times.  However, the rough times seem to affect us more deeply and for a longer period of time.  The television anchorman reports on one tragedy after another, hateful attitudes between political parties, and hardly any good news at all, so that by the time the newscast is over, we are sufficiently depressed.  I hear from several folks who say they don’t even watch the news any longer because it is so depressing and upsetting.

King David was certainly no stranger to troubles and tragedy.  However, he learned the secret of overcoming the stress, depression, and worry that accompanies overwhelming circumstances.  He learned how to rise above the slings and arrows of the devil and completely depend on the God of all comfort (II Corinthians 1:3).  David recognized the LORD as his shepherd who provided all his needs.  He looked past the heartaches and saw green pastures and still waters that awaited his tired soul.

While others chose the way of evil, God led him in paths of righteousness.  He did not even fear death because he knew God would be with him.  God’s discipline was a real comfort to him because it showed that God cared about him.  David could dine in peace before his enemies because he knew God would protect him.  God anointed him with the oil of His Holy Spirit, more than enough.  With all of this, David could be assured that goodness and mercy would continue to follow him all the way to glory.

Earlier today my cousin and I were talking about what a mess that this nation is in.  He is one of the ones who has stopped listening to the news so I was filling him in on some of the stuff that is going on.  If I had been asleep for 20 years or so like Rip Van Winkle, woke up, and someone told me about all that was happening in our nation, I probably wouldn’t have believed it.  Or perhaps I would have wanted to go back to sleep!  I told my cousin that we know that God is in control and nothing happens of which He is not aware.  We just have to have faith like David that God will take care of us and everything will work out for our benefit because scripture tells us that “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).  That sounds like an excellent plan to me.