Yesterday I got tested for COVID-19. Don’t worry, yet. It was just a precaution as we are going to see some family next week. And the giant swab up the nose wasn’t that bad. But now I have to wait 3-5 days to know the results.
I also found out yesterday that something I yearned for is not coming to pass – at least not anytime soon. It was profoundly disappointing and I’m back to waiting on it.
This has me reflecting on the in-between. When we are sitting in some kind of disappointment, sorrow, anxiety, uncertainty – and have no idea what tomorrow holds – it is difficult to just trust God. Then, as if on cue, I was drawn to Psalm 118. I’m not saying all my emotions were just magically whisked away, but reading this Psalm from a person who has clearly felt what I’m feeling and is yet on the other side, declaring the goodness of God, is a great encouragement. We find Jesus here, too, in that great principle of God which says, “that which is rejected becomes something great.” This is both a declaration of Jesus and, I believe, a truth of how God works, generally.
So if you’re feeling any of those emotions today, read this Psalm with me (I’ve copied it in its entirety below), and I pray it will give us eyes to see that God truly is up to something bigger than we can ever see in the moment. One day we’ll look back and we’ll be able to say, “Thank you Lord. You are good. Your love endures forever.”
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joel
Psalm 118 New International Version (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”
When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Joel Searby
