DAY 223

HOLDING ONTO GOD

Psalm 79 & 80 and Romans 11:1-18

Tomorrow we will return to Romans, for today the Psalms have grabbed hold of me. Psalms 79 & 80 are thought to have been written during the destruction of the Temple and the subsequent Babylonian exile. The people of Israel have lost almost everything, and in these Psalms you can see them holding on for their lives to God, maybe even barely holding on.

“How long , O Lord? Will you be angry forever...But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever…”

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel…Restore us, O Lord of hosts! Let your face shine that we may be saved!”

Maybe in your past you have had a season of great loss and trial; maybe you are in one of those seasons right now. Maybe it is not a “great loss,” but rather a steady and heavy weight with the end not in sight. What do people of faith do?

They pray, they even cry out…they hold onto God…and at times they even get angry at God. Some people would be shocked and say, “How dare we be angry at Almighty God?” I can understand that sentiment, but my response is in the form of a question, “Do you think God is big enough to handle our anger?” I do. I can picture in my head children getting mad, really mad, at an adult. The adult stays calm, understanding the source of the child’s frustration, but also able to see the bigger picture…the adult doesn’t leave, or get angry, or respond petulantly.

Nor does God leave. He stays with us, even, maybe especially, when it is tough. That can be hard to believe when we want Him to “move His hand” and deliver us. It is why the Psalmist cries out, “Restore us O Lord” for that is what we seek. But the point is that we hold on, don’t let go, even if you are angry, keep talking, He listens for He loves you.