Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85 & 87
Sometimes when I am reading through the Psalms I just get this weird feeling that someone must have copy and pasted a new verse into my Bible while I was sleeping – and there it is for me in the morning. It is so relevant and timely and hits me where my heart is. Surely this wasn’t written 3,000 years ago, was it? Just think of all the differences from their society to ours: architecture, technology, transportation, languages, clothing, careers, and entertainment, just to name a few. How could that ancient book speak to me today in 2020? And yet, the most important things have not changed at all. God – and human nature. He is still the Almighty. And we are not. But as His created beings, even thousands of years later, we still have all the same emotions, fears, desires, weaknesses, hopes, pride, and insecurities. So thus, these ancient words, were written for me, today.
One such verse that stuck out to me in today’s reading is Psalm 85:8. Read it a few times.
“I will listen to what God the Lord will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints —
but let them not return to folly”
So much in this verse: The importance of listening to God – He is talking but am I listening?
God promises peace. We know trouble comes, expect it, deal with it, knowing that God gives His Son – and peace – to his people. (John 16:33)
Be His people – His saints. Strive for righteousness – it’s what His kids do. Be His people – His saints – to get the peace (see above).
And – today’s kicker – “But let them not return to folly.”
As we sit today in Covid-19 isolation and everyone is chomping at the bit to return to “normal”, I wonder, how much of “normal” would God call folly?
I checked the dictionary to see what exactly is the definition of folly. Lexico.com defines folly as “lack of good sense; foolishness; a foolish act, idea, or practice.” Sounds like a good thing to avoid. There was another definition for folly that I found interesting and perhaps strangely fitting: “A costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.” What type of structure was our previous “normal” building? What are the dangers of spending our time and finances and priorities on a life/building that looks really good on the outside, but lacks any “practical purpose”? That would be folly, indeed. What practical purposes would God want us to pursue? Where did our priorities lie? What did we always want to do – but never had time for? What did we do with the majority of our time? What about our finances? What role did the pursuit of wealth play in our old normal? A lot is said about that in another one of today’s passages, Psalm 49. Make sure you give it a read and see what it says about “riches without understanding”. How much of our life was a beautiful outside, but lacking a purpose – folly – foolishness.
I pray we don’t go back to “normal”. I pray I don’t return to folly. I pray through this time we evaluate our purpose, even better yet, God’s purpose.
As a parent and day-care provider for over 20 years I have sat many a cute little behind in the all-powerful time-out chair. And it is always with the hope that when the time of isolation and consideration is past the offender will walk free – but not to return to their former folly. The purpose of the time-out chair is to ponder – what is my real purpose? Do I want to get that prized toy, regardless of how it might hurt my friend? Will anger, sulking and a bad attitude make my day better? Are my wants and wishes the only ones I should consider? And, so often, the preschool time-out chair shows its worth in returning a child, not to normal or to folly, but to a fresh purpose – be the best I can be.
We have been given a little time-out. Let us use our time-out wisely. Consider our past folly. In what ways are we beautiful outsides – with no practical purpose? What part of “normal” will you work to avoid? What can we do today, and how can we plan for tomorrow, to concentrate on seeking God, His purposes and His peace.
With Much Love and Prayers,
Marcia Railton
Today’s Bible reading can be read or listened to at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+43-45%2C49%2C+84-85%2C87&version=NIV
Tomorrow we read some more of the family reunion genealogies from 1 Chronicles 3-5 as we continue the 2020 Chronological Bible Reading Plan.
Seek. Grow. Love.
SeekGrowLove.com 