By John Grimm
We see much of God in this psalm. He is our dwelling place; is everlasting; can have anger; has wrath; has compassion; has steadfast love. He has glorious power and has favor. We see how we start with him, then we aggravate him, and then we plead for his blessing upon us. What an ebb and flow we go through!
We find ourselves away from God in this life because of our sin and iniquity. We find ourselves near God in this life because of his compassion. Maybe in our lives, we will stay closer to the Lord our God. It is better to know the favor of the Lord our God than it is to know his wrath.
One line of thought through this psalm is trouble. We have toil and trouble, and we have seen evil. Yes, living our lives brings more than enough concern about toil, trouble and evil. When we are not the cause of toil, trouble and evil, staying close to the Lord can be easier for us to do. However, when we are the cause of our own toil, trouble and evil, we realize we are the ones who have separated ourselves from God. It sure would be nice to live our 70 or 80 years close to God. This choice is ours. As the Lord turns to us, then we learn to turn to God.
This Advent of 2021 sounds like a suitable time to turn to the Lord. Will we accept the favor of God, or we will continue to feel his wrath? It looks like that if the Lord is our dwelling place, toil, trouble and evil do not keep us from knowing the favor of the Lord our God.
God, we have turned from you. Your wrath is justified against us. We need you to get through this life. As we live in you, let us know your steadfast love. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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