I remember discussing the relativity of time with Jasmine. One month for a 1 year old baby is 1 /12th of her life but for someone who is in 30's is 1/360th or less of his life. Hence 1/12th would feel much longer time than 1/360th by comparison. Little wonder when one gets older, time seems to pass by very quickly. So imagine if you are immortal like God, a human lifetime would mean nothing more than just a flash of moment to Him.
Once we get the perspective right, during the bible reading we will appreciate why God kept telling his people to wait patiently for the time will come when his promises would be fulfilled. After escaping from Egypt, the Jews were wandering in the middle east for at least 40 years before they were shown the promised land. During that period of time, due to the weaknesses of human mind, their lack of faith has been swayed by the torture of waiting and temptation, as clearly shown by the old testament. As result of that they were punished by God's wrath for betrayal. 40 years to God means nothing at all but His promise does mean a LOT. Once we judge God by human standard, 40 years means a long long time but if we don't judge God, but keep our faith and wait patiently, He will fulfil His promises in the end His Way.
For what ever we can do, we cannot escape God's purpose for us. At times when we feel low and forsaken, do take hearts that God is with us.
David was having a trouble time when he wrote this psalm. Despite the fact that he was favored by God for quite some time, he couldn't help forsaking God later in his life due to human sinful nature and perished as a result of that. ( Rightly or wrongly, I always take comfort in knowing that even David who were so close with God did not even manage to be a good Cristian, let alone a weak gentile non Jew like me.) Yet He never gives up loving all his people and giving them grace, hoping one day, we will all know him.
Once we get the perspective right, during the bible reading we will appreciate why God kept telling his people to wait patiently for the time will come when his promises would be fulfilled. After escaping from Egypt, the Jews were wandering in the middle east for at least 40 years before they were shown the promised land. During that period of time, due to the weaknesses of human mind, their lack of faith has been swayed by the torture of waiting and temptation, as clearly shown by the old testament. As result of that they were punished by God's wrath for betrayal. 40 years to God means nothing at all but His promise does mean a LOT. Once we judge God by human standard, 40 years means a long long time but if we don't judge God, but keep our faith and wait patiently, He will fulfil His promises in the end His Way.
For what ever we can do, we cannot escape God's purpose for us. At times when we feel low and forsaken, do take hearts that God is with us.
David was having a trouble time when he wrote this psalm. Despite the fact that he was favored by God for quite some time, he couldn't help forsaking God later in his life due to human sinful nature and perished as a result of that. ( Rightly or wrongly, I always take comfort in knowing that even David who were so close with God did not even manage to be a good Cristian, let alone a weak gentile non Jew like me.) Yet He never gives up loving all his people and giving them grace, hoping one day, we will all know him.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
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