Tag Archives: surely I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living

What a Wonderful World

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I was listening to a recording of Louis Armstrong  singing, “What a Wonderful World.” The gentle lilting melody and soothing lyrics comfort an anxious soul. Really, the lyrics are a testimony of a grateful life.

It wasn’t always that way. Being born to a poor family in New Orleans, living in a rough neighborhood known as “the battlefield,” abandoned by his father, and going through troubled marriages, Louie Armstrong knew the bitter side of life but in the end chose to embrace life’s better side.

Instead of dwelling on the hard times of his life, he used it to inspire his music that brought happiness to so many. It was for him, “Something to live for.”  His last hit song, What a Wonderful World, portrays a world of simple beauty and peace:  leafed trees and flowers, passing clouds and colorful rainbows, the friendly smiles and gestures of people going about their daily life, encouraging and loving one another, and the miracle of watching babies grow and learn. What a wonderful world when you’re surrounded by friends and family!

Sure it’s idyllic, maybe a bit of soft shoe schmaltz. But isn’t it also the perspective we need when we’re pressed down by the pressures of life? It’s precisely during difficult moments and trying seasons of life that we need to embrace the power of a grateful heart. It reminds us,

The solution to looking down at our problems is always – always – looking up.

  • Looking up to find beauty and calm and simple joy in the miracle of life that surrounds our pain.
  • Looking up to peer deeply into someone’s eyes and building a bond of understanding.
  • Looking up from the hopeless headlines and committing to one small way to make a big difference in someone else’s life.
  • Looking up to find a loving God who sees you where you are and invites you to rest from your burdens.

But if your world has suddenly and unimaginably fallen apart, or become worn down by the constant pressure of enduring sorrow; if it seems that the whole world is decaying around you, and your enemies, like cancer,  press against you with increasing pressure, is there any beauty and comfort yet to be found?

In his despair and grief and in the face of surrounding evil, the psalmist found hope in finding goodness in the land of the living.  He found beauty and safety and peace in abiding in God’s presence. Though everything around him was in turmoil and threatening his very life, he found a wonderful world in seeking quiet time with his Lord. Eyes off his troubles and gazing into the eyes of his master, he found respite from his fears and pain and sorrows. He could have asked for many things: to be rescued from his enemies, to be vindicated in their presence, to have the pleasures of good health, prosperity, and fame. But instead, he asked this:

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 23:4

And with this refreshed perspective, he concludes with this resolution and challenge for us:

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 23:13-14

We have very many things we’d like to ask of the Lord, including the rescue from our deepest woes. But the one thing we could ask that makes more difference than anything else, is to dwell in the comfort and strength of his presence and catch a glimpse of the wonder of God’s unending love and amazing grace, offered freely to you and me.

Go ahead. Ask. It’s a free gift.

 

Mansions in heaven

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We like to think about heaven but we hate to think about hell. That place of eternal torment and punishment is too much for us to grasp. Who can bear the thought of eternal darkness, and yet burning fire, of complete separation from friends and loved ones, and utter separation from God? I wonder sometimes if we forget from WHAT we were saved?! It should burn in our memory every day!

 

I remember when the reality of heaven and hell hit me. I remember the weight of my sin and the punishment I deserved. I remember the depth of my inadequacy to escape it in my own power. Even at a relatively young age I recognized that none of my God-given abilities and talents were sufficient to remove my sin problem. But oh, I wanted to escape the punishment. I remember reading that Jesus not only forgives the sins we confess and removes our punishment but has also gone ahead to prepare a place for us in heaven. Because He says there are many mansions in heaven, we think of ‘our place’ being one of them. Imagine not only avoiding just punishment but given a reward instead! I remember telling Him, that it would be quite enough if I had a little shack by the River of Life. But he would have none of that; a mansion it would be.

 

Have you ever wondered what a heavenly mansion will look like? Since we will have heavenly bodies it seems likely it might not be a brick and mortar building like we imagine. But it will be magnificent. He’s given us temporary earthly bodies to be the home for His Holy Spirit. And even in the frailty of these bodies we can sense some degree of God’s glory within and around us. Imagine having a glorified heavenly body that could serve as a ‘mansion’ for ALL of His glory! If you could take the feeling of any moment of wonder that took your breath away and multiply that a million times, it might be that much goodness. . . enough to fill a mansion – and beyond!

 

Did you know we can experience a piece of that here and now? As we learn to commune with the Holy Spirit throughout the day, He reveals more of God’s glory to us. And the more we exalt God’s goodness and glory, the more His Spirit fills us. The more we grow thankful hearts the more the goodness of the Lord and His ever sufficient grace pours over us. It runs through our pain and sorrow. It’s not a patronizing conciliation. It’s the truth. God’s goodness remains constant in spite of our troubles and our feelings. That piece of heaven, however small it seems, is available for our discovery each day.

 

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13