O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1
“Wow, hasn’t 2020 been a terrific year?”
Haven’t heard that line yet, have you? The lowlights of this year, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the ugly continuation of centurieslong, deep-rooted racial injustice and inequality, don’t have 2020 lined up for any glowing “year in review” retrospectives. In fact, many of us people of faith are wondering where God is in the midst of all this tragedy and heartache, or how long it will be until he calls us all to his heavenly kingdom.
Admittedly, the vast majority of my prayers this past year have been cries for help: for healing, for justice, for reconciliation, for health, for comfort, for peace, and for basic needs to be met. Nothing about what I see in the world, on the news, or on social media strikes up an instinctive urge to sing.
However, throughout the Bible we are reminded that God is good in all circumstances (including 1 Chronicles 16:34) and worthy of our praise (Psalm 145:3). Singing to the Lord may not always come of our “natural” human volition, nor does it permit us to neglect the problems that continue to plague our society; even so, let us sing to the Lord during our earthly tribulations as we remember that this fallen world is not our home.
Lord, although many loved ones and I may be experiencing overwhelming pain and suffering, I sing to you. Please bless and heal us, both in this season of advent and throughout the upcoming year. Amen.
Brandon Frank is the Manager of Financial Reporting for Liberty Lutheran.
No comments:
Post a Comment