1Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
21Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
23Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. 24You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny. 25Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
I came across this chapter in Psalms. It spoke to me. I am not envious of the rich all the time because my head knows God supplies all I need. Yet, I watch people. It is my job to watch people. I work at Walmart in the self-check out registers. I see the nicely dressed people come in and buy steaks and seafood and sometimes wish I could afford more than hamburger. Or at Christmas I see them buying hundreds of dollars in gifts and I cannot afford much.
Am I slipping?
I just need to slip into church and realize I have it all in You! I may not be rich as the world sees rich. I am not sure I even want that! But I am rich in knowing I am God’s and He is mine. He leads me and counsels my heart. Even more, God sent His Son to save me. Jesus came to earth to die for my sins of wanting what the world has. He rose again to assure me Heaven. I am truly rich!
Yes, my body hurts and is getting older. Sometimes I want to give up. But God You are my strength! You are mine forever! Are you slipping or do you slip into church to find all you need?
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A couple of books from Christianbook.com Home
Lost In The Middle: Midlife and The Grace of God
By Paul Tripp / Shepherd Press
The Bible never discusses midlife, just like it never discusses teenagers. Yet the Bible is able to unpack any of life’s experiences because it was written by the One who made them all. Life on this side of glory is hard. This world is a broken place. You will face things in midlife that beat at the borders of your faith, but you do not have to be lost in the middle of your story.
You do not have to be paralyzed by regret, defeated by aging, and discouraged by the passing of your dreams. You do not have to make greater trouble out of the trouble you are already experiencing. This time of life, which can seem like the end of many things, can actually welcome you to a brand new way of living. As is so often the case in your walk with the Lord, this moment of pain is also a moment of grace. Because of this, all of us need to occasionally step back, slow down, and consider where we are going. Lost in the Middle will help you to do just that.
One final word: Although this book is targeted at those who are struggling with the issues of midlife, it has a much broader net than that. Lost in the Middle can help all who are struggling with life in this broken world and have lost their way. The God who seems so distant to you in this moment is actually near and active. Lost in the Middle is written to give you eyes to see him, to see yourself more clearly, and to find the real hope that you need to carry on.
Your God is Too Small: A Guide for Believers and Skeptics Alike
By J.B. Phillips / Touchstone
In Your God Is Too Small, J. B. Phillips explains that the trouble facing many of us today is that we have not found a God big enough for our modern needs. In a world where our experience of life has grown in myriad directions, and our mental horizons have been expanded to the point of bewilderment by world events and scientific discoveries, our ideas of God have remained largely static. It is nearly impossible, Phillips argues, for an adult to worship the conception of God that exists in the mind of a child of Sunday-school age, the “God-in-a-box” notion, limiting God to such inadequate conceptions as “Resident Policeman,” “Grand Old Man,” “Meek-and-Mild,” and “Managing Director.” As a result of these insufficient ideas of God, many people live with an inner dissatisfaction, without any faith at all.
Your God Is Too Small explores the ways in which we can find a truly meaningful and constructive God for ourselves, big enough to account for our current experience of life and big enough to command our highest admiration and respect.
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