Chin Up

“Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.  Selah.  But Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head”.  Psalm 3:2-3

Every day we hear more bad news.  It almost makes me want to not turn on the television or look at the internet, but I don’t want to be like the ostrich who hides his head in the sand.  I have often said that if there is an escaped convict in my neighborhood, I want to know about it!  Whether or not I know what is going on in the world, it is still happening and, I believe, will continue to get worse.  I wish I could be more optimistic about the near future, but if I am paying attention to God’s word as He gives us indications of what is to come for planet earth, it certainly seems like the current situations are lining up for that great and terrible day of the Lord.

However, it is not all bad news for Christians.  When all these indications of Christ’s return are appearing one by one, Jesus tells us to “look up, and lift up (our) heads; for (our) redemption draws near”.  I was thinking this morning about all these troubles that the entire world is facing along with all the individual troubles with which folks are dealing and am assured of this: either Jesus will bring us through it, or He will bring us home.  Either way, it is a “win-win” situation for all who know Christ in the forgiveness of sin.  That doesn’t mean that it will be smooth sailing from here on out because we are still living in a sin-cursed world, but to have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our Advocate and Defender, gives us a confidence of which the secular world knows nothing.  I have compassion for all the people who do not know what it means to be born again and have Christ living within their hearts.  We try and tell them, but many allow their pride to prevent them from humbling their hearts and submitting to the only One who can help them in their troubles, pain, and heartaches.

The following words are my thoughts on Psalm 3.  David wrote this Psalm while he was being pursued by his own son, Absalom.  Imagine having your own flesh and blood desiring to take your life.  That makes all other problems rather minor.

“We are plagued with troubles on every hand.  Our enemies are too many to count.  Most of the world sees us as nothing.  We can count on one hand those who would sacrifice whatever it would take to help us in our time of trouble.  Because the world does not trust in God, they don’t believe He can help us.  Oh, but what a difference He makes in the lives of those who do trust Him.  He shields us from the flaming arrows of the wicked one.  He is our future promise of glory and eternal peace.  When we are bowed low in sorrow and fear, He gently places His hand under our chins and lifts our heads so that we can see Him in His glory and majesty and realize everything will be all right.  We can lay down at night and sleep the sleep of the peaceful and blessed because He stands guard over us.  Though there are many who persecute and ridicule us, God will protect us and save us from the wicked because He chooses to do so.”

What a Friend we have in Jesus.  Most of us can count our true friends on one hand.  By true friends, I mean those who would arise in the middle of the night if we needed them, would give us money if we were in a financial bind, would stick by us through thick and thin, and would not judge us, talk about us behind our backs, nor do anything that would harm us.  These are the kind of friends who emulate Jesus.  Is that not what a follower of Christ is supposed to do?  Even as we face a world of uncertainty, which is really nothing new because there has always been upheaval throughout the centuries, it is good to know that we have loyal Christian friends.  Most of all, we have Jesus as our BFF (Best Friend Forever) who holds our heads in His hands and tells us not to fear for He will never forsake us.