Our military community and many in our church family are watching the events in our nation’s capital with intense interest this week. We anticipate the potential for sequestration and the subsequent furloughs that could come to RAFB employees and the effect to be had on contractors and their jobs. All of us will feel the effects- some more intensely than others. What do we do about the anxiety and frustration?
I would encourage you to look to Psalm 77. There you will read a Psalm that captures both lament and comfort. The Psalmist is honest before the Lord regarding his struggles (see verses 1-9) but doesn’t stay there. Encouragement is found. Where?
In verse 12 we read, “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” The Psalmist takes his eyes off of his worries and looks to the Lord, who He is and what He has done. He asks, “What god is great like our God?” (v.13) and then he reflects on God’s mighty works, particularly how He freed His people from slavery in Egypt in what we call the Exodus.
The Exodus is a picture in itself of what God has done for His people in Christ in freeing them from sin’s penalty and power. The Exodus was a picture of the gospel. This Psalm says to worried and fearful Christians to look to God. Look to His character of mercy and grace. Look to His covenant faithfulness in His Son, Jesus Christ. Look at Him. Look not at circumstance. Look to Christ.
This won’t be a one-time event. You’ll need to look and look again. Then you’ll need to look some more and when you wake up at 3AM worrying, you look once more. As you and I face uncertainty in the days and weeks ahead- whether through a sequester, illness, or other disappointments, let us look to Christ- and keep on looking.