“His holy arm has shown His saving power.” (Psalm 98:1 NLT)
This week I had the tremendous privilege of sitting in on the South Texas Presbytery meeting as an auditor. Before our official business began, we spent a few minutes together in devotions; specifically discussing the Israelites pressed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh fast approaching. (Exodus 14) The people of God were pinned in a position of total dependance upon the Lord and in hindsight, we know He moved at just the right time in just the right way.
I wonder, have you ever been there? With your back against the sea and the enemy fast approaching? Perhaps you are there today, wringing your hands and wondering when and how God and maybe even if will step in and come to your rescue.
“He has remembered His love and faithfulness to Israel.” (Psalm 98:3 NLT)
The psalmist points out the ongoing faithfulness and affection of our God. I think about the Israelites and the way we know God blew apart the waters on their behalf, but I also recall that God ‘remembered’ Noah and his family in the flood. Additionally, He ‘remembered’ Joseph in prison. Not that our heavenly Father ever misplaces us or goes on without us, but it seems at the appointed time, He remembers. He steps in and miracles happen.
When we receive our salvation after a dark or lonely chapter, it thrills our frames. The old Hillsong chorus bursts in our chest and we realize the lyrics were birthed from this same psalm:
“Shout to the Lord, all the earth: break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodies song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.” (Psalm 98:4-9 NLT)
When we see the strong arm of God move in our story, we get happy. Consider the glee of the Israelites on the far side of the sea (Exodus 15) with their enemies washed away. Imagine the faces of Noah’s family as they stepped out of the ark and onto dry land. Try to put yourself in Joseph’s sandals as he finally emerged from the smelly dungeon of false imprisonment. Has sunlight ever felt so wondrous? When we see the arm of salvation flexed on our behalf, we are wowed in a whole new way with our good God.
What if we could borrow from this anthem of praise while we are still waiting in the dark? When the enemy is still pressing on all sides? When the rain is pounding and the waves are still crashing?
We consider God’s track record with the whole of humanity and within our own short narrative and we know He is good. We know He is a Savior with impeccable timing. When we remember this truth, we can walk or crawl or wait with surety, our souls wind up being girded with joy. Joy isn’t dependent on circumstance or contingent on feelings. Joy is rooted in an unshakeable belief that our God can and will come through at just the right time and in just the right way. He’ll part the sea. He’ll dry the ground. He’ll free the falsely accused. Joy is the byproduct of complete trust in God’s unfailing character and He invites us to walk in it today: in the light and dark alike. In salvation or in delay. In glorious release or long-standing chains.
“I know how to live in almost nothing or everything. I have learned to secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty with plenty or little. For I can do everything with Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13 NLT)
Lord, sometimes we sit in sorrow a good long while before we see Your hand of salvation. We are reminded today, help is on the way. You will remember us at just the right time in just the right way. May we live in confidence of that even in the dark, in the dismal, in dejection. You are mighty to save and we will shout when it happens. Until then, we wait on You with great hope and unshaken trust. Your character is unchanging and your love is unconditional. We rejoice in our relationship with You, no matter our current circumstance. Amen.