Finally some encouraging news—the summer Olympics. The competition has refreshed us and kept us coming back each night. We applaud the dedication and sacrifice of the athletes, whether they win or lose. But of course, when it’s our team, we prefer the win. For USA, the medal count stands at over 70, 26 of those gold. We’re swelling with national pride, and with a few days remaining, we expect to win even more. The Olympic diversion comes at a good time for those of us feeling news-weary.
Next week we’ll return to the other top story—the presidential election. We’ll go from national pride to national horror. Disgusted and discouraged by our limited prospects, we anticipate a great humbling of our national pride. We fear the future of our homeland in the hands of wicked and incompetent leaders.
Before I decide to jump off the nearest bridge in humiliation, or in protest, I steer myself back to the Book of timeless truth, unaffected by the news, whether good or bad. The words of Isaiah give some perspective, from the esteem we give athletes, to the threat we feel from rulers.
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8
“He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.” Isaiah 40:22-24
Oh how we need this reminder. Our God reigns from heaven forever. Everyone else has a time limit on their glory.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Amen & Amen! God’s Eternal Truth is what we need to steady us and bank our lives on in the turbulent times ahead. HE is our only sure Anchor!
Hi Dawna, We need to keep reminding each other where our hope is. It’s so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of our times.
I’ve been memorizing Psalm 16, and it’s been so helpful! I don’t have to get sucked in to all the arrogant nonsense — “the sorrows of those who run after another god will be multiplied. Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out, or take their name on my lips. . .”(v.4)
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot . . .(v5)” I choose God’s way. His Sovereign will rules over rulers and corruption and everything
“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken” — God’s Immanuel is such a comfort!!!
“Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor let your holy one see corruption. . .(v9,10)” God’s promise to be with me forever, to never forsake me, is absolute. God is my king, and that’s why I can rejoice.
There’s so much more, but I don’t want this reply to be too long 🙂 I am just so amazed at how God has been leading me to such “timely” Scriptures to settle in my heart to comfort and counsel me. What a great and marvelous God!!!
Beverly, you are so right. Love the words you shared. Scripture totally changes our perspective and that sets us free from the fears and obsessions that fill our minds. Thanks for sharing.
It happens quite regularly that you send out a post that resonates so strongly with what I’m thinking and feeling–just like today. And then people like Dawna and Beverly respond with words that also express my heart–and I think “these are my people–these memorizers of Scripture, these gatherers on the Rock of God’s truth, these pilgrims committed to obedience to His commands.” It encourages my heart to find you all here!
Janet, thanks for reminding us of God’s perspective, challenging us to impress it on our hearts, and giving us a place to “meet” each other! A friend and I recently started working on 1 Peter–like Psalm 16, it’s very timely! So thankful God gave us His living, active Word!
Hi Shelly, that thrills me to hear that you’ve found some kindred spirits here in our online community. As we each learn Scripture we are able to point each other back to the solid truths that hold us steady in this crazy volatile world. 1 Peter is one of my favorite books, and so timely. Thanks for sharing.
1 Peter is so awesome and as Janet shared with me several months ago how relevant it is for today. What I love is the reminder that the whole counsel of God is what we need in today’s world because 1 Peter quotes Isaiah. Romans 15:4 tells us “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the ENCOURAGEMENT of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Thank you Janet for so accurately reflecting how many of us feel and yet directing us back to the One and only One who can give us hope and encouragement in these times. If I did not believe God and His sovereignty I think I would just pull the covers up over my head and never get out of bed :).
I LOVE the book of Isaiah! So many promises for my every day life! Thank you for pointing out more to me just now. Have been a bit stressed about not seeing a Godly leader to choose from–thank you for helping me to remember exactly where I need to be looking. We HAVE a Godly leader–God Himself!