“The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting…the perfection of beauty, God shines forth…” Psalm 50:1-2
When loss struck me, I felt a distinct summons from God. I couldn’t have stated it clearly, but I knew I had a journey ahead of me with many opportunities to honor or dishonor him. I sought to be among those who are reflecting the goodness and perfection of his beauty. The Mighty One who is calling to the earth seeks to shine forth. He is not silent. His call reverberates to his faithful ones with whom he made a covenant.
If you’re walking through grief, realize it is also a summons to herald a God who will shine forth through you. He seeks not sacrifices, bulls, goats, or any beast. He does not need anything.
“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10
God is not in need. He owns every beast, all cattle, and birds. He’s not hungry and if he was he wouldn’t need our help. He owns it all. He created it all.
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:14-15
Asaph, the psalmist, gives some helpful advice that empowers us to turn our trouble into an opportunity. When trouble arises, we are summoned by God the Lord.
First, call upon God unashamedly. My children have children now. I love to be on the phone when in the background I hear incessant requests. “Momma, give me…” or “Daddy, help me…” It’s a reminder that we have an Abba, a Father. And we, too, turn to him and ask, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
Second, expect his undeniable rescue on your behalf. Don’t sugarcoat the loss. Don’t diminish the pain but watch how he invests it for good. For his kingdom’s good and his will to be done (Matthew 6:10).
Third, honor God purposefully. Reflect his glory. Trust and stand in his power. Walk by faith. Refuse the claims of sight. Reveal his beauty as you reflect his brilliance.
This advice is for those in covenant with God. Not for others. Others, outside of the covenant, are rebellious and hate discipline. Their priorities are confused. They are pleased with thieves and are in company with adulterers. Their tongue deceives and slanders. His silence surrounding their rebellious ways should not be construed as his pleasure. He rises to rebuke the rebellious.
He declares to the rebellious that there is none who can deliver them. When they forget or ignore God, they need to take note. They’re on dangerous ground.
But not those in covenant.
We hear the summons to face trouble and turn it into an opportunity to allow our Mighty God to shine forth. His perfect beauty will be seen. We, by faith, offer thanksgiving and order our ways in keeping with his ways. God will show us his salvation as we turn trouble into an opportunity.
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50:23
Read the E-book Facing Loss: Lessons of Hope from My Unwanted Journey