‘But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.’ Psalm 86:15
These days life seems to be full of strife. Recently, has been the topic of why a 10-11 year-old needs a phone. My responses have been testy, cross and every speed but slow. When I hear ‘all my friends have one’ a fire inside is lit. I am not a fan of swimming with the current and the bend towards keeping up with the Joneses triggers everything but a Christ-like response.
As the theme escalates to a higher decibel, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the story of the Israelites in the desert. And then prodding a little deeper, I’m reminded of the times I have complained of the quail and the manna. I’ve been promised the land of milk and honey but continue to wander as my faith becomes less when my ‘genie’ in a bottle does not perform to my liking. I too have mirrored a bit of ungratefulness looking over the fence and I’m sure my prayers of ‘please give me fill-in-the-blank’ probably sound a lot like ‘all my friends have one.’
Be encouraged brothers and sisters. Our Daddy is well aware of what we need and when we need it. By God’s grace, I have learned of the wisdom of Solomon and the contentedness of Paul and I have learned to trust in the Lord’s goodness when favors are withheld. God’s plan is flawless and His will is divine. When the timing is right Jesus will make His virtue rain down from heaven in such a way that our ‘barns cannot contain it.’
