Journeys of Grace

Psalm 33:5 The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

This morning, I didn’t wake up to my alarm clock. When I finally did wake up, I barely had time to shower and throw myself together before my 8:00 class. Once I was ready, I stepped out the door to a dismal world. It was Monday morning – and it was cold. And it was wet. And I had to rush to my 8:00 am class.

And I hadn’t had time to make coffee, eat breakfast, or do my devotions.

On top of everything, I was coming down with a cold. And the day ahead of me seemed full of responsibilities.

The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

Unfortunately, my attitude toward the day reflected my own circumstances, not the truth of that verse. The earth seemed full of cold, busyness, and sickness. The earth seemed full of empty stomachs and sleepy minds. The earth seemed full of weariness.

But the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

Stopping to think

The psalms are wonderful attitude adjusters. Regardless your bad attitude, there’s probably a psalm that will deliver just the corrective words you need to hear. For example, look at the opening of Psalm 33.

Psalm 33:1 Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.  

God actually commands us to shout for joy! And that would apply every day – even on cold, rainy Mondays. And apparently, this response is appropriate for righteous people. As a Christian, I should be responding to my life circumstances with joy and praise.

Stopping to give thanks

The psalmist doesn’t just make this command and leave his audience hanging. Maybe you’re thinking, “I would love to be joyful. But it’s Monday. I have a test tomorrow. I’m sick. It’s cold and wet and windy outside. It’s going to rain for the next three days straight. I won’t be able to go to bed until sometime early tomorrow morning.”

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous.

The command is so simple, but obeying it seems so hard. Thankfully, the psalmist lists out several things that the upright, God’s people, can give thanks for.

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.

Maybe it is a dismal Monday. But God is faithful! He never leaves His children alone, whether in good times or in bad.

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Have you ever stopped to think that you would have nothing apart from God? You wouldn’t even have yourself! Apart from God, you wouldn’t even be considering that question. The world, the heavens, every creature, and man in the image of God would not exist apart from God’s Word. That’s significant enough to praise God for!

Psalm 33:10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

God’s sovereignty and control extend to all people. Whether they be your next-door neighbors or the leaders of nations, their lives and decisions all fall underneath God’s realm of absolute sovereignty.

So maybe it’s been a long Monday. Maybe the week ahead seems overwhelming. But instead of worrying, take time this week to think about God’s faithfulness, His act of Creation, and His sovereignty. Take time to thank Him.

The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.