Trivia:
Here's a blast from the past. In what time period were bell bottom jeans most popular? 1990's; 2000's; 2020's; 1970's. Make your guess, we'll see who gets the closest.
Challenge:
Psalm 13:1-6 "O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at my downfall.
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me."
In the first two verses the writer uses three pronouns 1) I am hurting 2) You have forgotten 3) they are winning. These are the outlooks that lead to defeat in our lives, unless we turn our eyes on our loving Father and His solutions for lifes troubles.
He is the one who can enlighten our focus
No enemy can overcome our lives as long as we look to our Lord for strength and answers
His love never fails us
When we stop to reflect on these truths, there is never a question as too who will grant us joy and rejoicing in our lives. The winning solution is always to put our trust in His unfailing love. Then the natural response in our heart is rejoicing and joying in just who He is and what is His solution is in all of these challenges in our lives.
SO GO WITH GOD my dear believer, for His strength and solutions are new everyday. There is no enemy powerful enough to win the victory over Him. If we look to Him for each solution to the struggles of our life, then He will walk us victoriously through these struggles.
As the song reminds us of the Israelites when they faced certain death from the serpent bite, Don't find yourself alone, but "Look and live." What this chapter reminds us to do when we face the impossible. We've been bitten by a deadly snake, we see our body swelling up and shutting down, in the middle of a place where no solution appears to be available, that's when God shows up with a solution which from the human perspective is only failure.
For further reading of this time that Israel learned from this important lesson look at Numbers 21. For this is the very same lesson that David was learning.
That was when David asked the Lord in verse 3b "Restore my perspective (life) or I will die" Goid's answer was "look upon His solution". Though it seemed to be an impossible solution, non the less, your faith when placed in Him would and did bring healing.
In this same way we are faced with this lesson throughout our lives. "But God" is always the enlightenment that we should look to. He reminded Israel of this lesson, then to David and now to you and I. Verse 5 was his challenge, "But I trust in your unfailing love." My dear one don't miss this vital lesson. "Look and live" for then your confidence will be bolstered.
1970's and they were considered rebellious at the time. Really?? Our Sailors wore them!