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February 6, 2025 Epiphanytide Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The holy Scriptures speak to the necessity of God’s people keeping focused in the right place in times of distress.
In Psalm 73, Asaph chronicles his distress as he observes the economic inequity around him as the arrogant prosper while the righteous experience trouble. As long as he focused on the problem, his faith wavered. He describes his plight saying “...my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.” (Psalm 72:2) The more he focused on that problem, the more “envious” (3) and “wearisome” (16) he felt, “...until [he] went into the sanctuary of God.” (17) As he recalled God’s unchanging presence, counsel, and strength, he regained an eternal perspective that brought his heart and mind to confident rest. “...It is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (28).
In Isaiah 6, the prophet is distressed by the imminent political and national upheaval caused by the leadership transition when King Uzziah died. His distress was relieved and his faith reassured only when he “...saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1)
Simon Peter miraculously walked on water until he became preoccupied with the storm resulting in severe distress. “So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:29-32)
The writer to the Hebrews instructed the first century Christians who were experiencing social opposition and economic pressure that only by “...looking to Jesus…” [aphorao: away + stare] and “...consider[ing] him…” could they keep from “...becom[ing] weary and discouraged in [their] souls.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) He also encourages them (and us) that while everything around us is being shaken, we must “...be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…” (Hebrews 12:28)
Beloved, we find ourselves living in a season of great distress with many turmoils abounding internationally, nationally, locally, and personally…wars and rumors of wars, devastating floods and wildfires, political and social upheaval, economic trials and physical illnesses. These challenges are real. We should not ignore them. We also must not become preoccupied with them. Rather, we must be preoccupied (giving our primary attention first and foremost) beyond all distractions with the fact that our sovereign, wise, powerful, loving, gracious Father God is REAL and superintending over all the issues of life.
I confess that I become too distracted, weary, and tempted to despair when I begin to spend more time focusing on the news of the day/moment than I do in God’s presence praying and meditating on his word. God desires that we look to him for wise discernment to be like the men of Issachar numbered among David’s mighty men who “...had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do…” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Here are a couple of principles that help me.
I must keep my habits of daily prayer and weekly eucharist a priority. I must be judicious in limiting the amount of time I allocate for listening to the news. (I have turned off all news notifications on my devices, along with most others notifications.) I seek to be discerning of the perspectives of the news outlets I listen to with the primary three gravitating from center right to center left according to sources that evaluate the various outlets. I must prioritize my focus on “hard news” instead of political opinion and commentary.
King David often faced immense challenges, threats, and distractions as he sought to prioritize following God and leading His people. His prioritized “...one thing…” was dwelling in God’s house and seeking God’s face so that God would teach him and lead him. Please join me in making the time to prayerfully read Psalm 27 again today. As we do, may God strengthen us afresh to say with David:
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! - Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)
Please pray with me.
“Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Your Servant for Jesus’ sake, +Mark—————————————
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