150 feet!

Papa.
Just as we entered a tunnel he replied...

"150 feet."  Papa responded to his grandchildren's query of "how much longer til we get there?"  I giggled because I knew it was really about 20 miles to our destination.  I was amazed that the children were satisfied with his decisive answer even though they had no idea of what 150 feet meant.

It's been several days since I read through Psalm 6 but when I opened my journal and looked at my notes I knew "150 feet" will become my subtitle for Psalm 6.

I noticed the words I'd underlined in my handwritten version of Psalm 6 :

§  Unfailing love- Years ago during a bible study on the book of Psalms I discovered how often the psalmists refer to God's unfailing love.  In the translation I'm reading now this is the first Psalm which acknowledges God's unfailing love.  (So I'm circling in blue pencil this time through the Psalms to remind me of God's unfailing love.)

§  Worn out-  The Psalm begins with a plea for mercy and healing.  It talks of anguish, despair, groaning, weeping and sorrow.  I can relate. Life on this earth can be hard, right?

§  Has heard- In the midst of the  psalmist's anguish, he acknowledges God has heard his weeping and prayers in the past.  God is reliable.

§  How long? -  This question sounds far too familiar.  It seems when the going gets tough, our most frequent query of God is "How much longer til...?"

In the midst of trying circumstances, I want to impose a time limit.  If I know the ending time, I will be able to endure the next few minutes and hours.  I can feel the immediate and temporary satisfaction of surviving another minute and being closer to the end.

Psalm 6 addresses the dilemma of "How long?" vs "God's unfailing love."

It is no coincidence this past week my ladies study group discussed James chapter one.  We wrestled with the idea that trials produce steadfastness or endurance.  When suffering comes we concentrate on how much longer or the conclusion or the ending. 

James and the Psalmist are reminding me, instead, I should concentrate on

§  God's knowledge of the future,

§  the comfort that He indeed knows my deepest need and

§  His unfailing love

Life's circumstances are opportunities to learn and understand, as best we can, of God's character. God is so much bigger than time or any step by step plan I can devise.  He operates according to unfailing love and mercy. 

Through life trials we learn God is in control.  God loves us.  He knows our deepest needs and delivers.  How long is not the question.  Rest in His character is the response to life trials.

Just as the grandchildren wanted to impose a time limit to enduring a boring car ride, I want to impose a limit so I can manage to my trials.    The grandchildren received an answer that didn't compute because they had no concept of distance. The answer of "150 feet" satisfied them though.  They knew Papa had a destination and it was a good destination. Papa loved them.  Papa was dependable.  They knew of Papa's character.

I anticipate that during my next life trial when I am worn out and ask God "How long?"  His response will be "150 feet!" 

I will be reminded that

§  God has a destination and it's a good destination. 

§  God loves me. 

§  God has  unfailing love, my prior life trials are proof.