Meditation for a New Work Year

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul,. In you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

When things are not right where do I turn for comfort and assurance. To what or whom do I look to express, "Hey, look what happened to me here?" It's natural to look to authorities and point out the inequities that distress me. It seems appealing to look to others who also may be discontent and seek commiseration. But no justice comes from human authorities or systems, and no wisdom comes from the company of the discontented. There is no help or comfort to be gotten there.
Thus, "To you O Lord I lift up my soul, in you I trust O my God."
It is in God that my prayer, "Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me," is poured out.

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

When I flop down before God, and pour out my heart as a child to a father, the assurance that I have is, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame." I can rest now. Though the circumstances may still sting as long as they persist, my fears of utter destruction, of shame and humiliation are shown to be mere spasms of imagination. The reality is declared in the promise: No one whose hope is n you will ever be put to shame."


But they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.


Another burden I do not need to carry in to this new school year is that of concern about the fate of others. The Lord will deal with the treacherous, in His time, in His way. I do not even know which people are really the "treacherous" ones. I am not the judge. 


Which brings me to that with which I do have to concern myself, my own conduct. Have unpleasant circumstances come into my life from outside the purview of God? Hardly. He knows the path He has chosen for me. He is deliberate and purposeful. His purpose is good, His method perfect.


Job 23

‪10But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ‬

4Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. ‬ ‪5Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day long. ‬ So my prayer is that I will seek to incorporate the ways of the Lord as completely and quickly as possible. I pray, "Show me how (Your ways, Your paths). Instruct my mind and soul (lead me in your truth, and teach me). 6Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving-kindnesses; for they are from eternity.  7Do not remember the sins of my youth, or my rebellings; according to Your mercy remember me for Your goodness' sake, O LORD.    My prayer is for mercy and grace. I know the Lord would have no reason to allow trials in my life if I were already perfect. Most of the trouble I experience is a result of my own sin. God knows this too. He is completely abreast of all my transgressions, but that is part of what makes his mercies so tender, and his kindness so loving. I gladly throw myself at his feet and let Him decide what's best from here. Again, His purpose is good, His method perfect. Because my guilt before him is washed away in the sacrifice of Jesus, what I experience here this year will not be retribution for my failures. God's motivation is my good, not to balance the books between us, so to speak. Look at the arrangement between God and those who cast themselves at his feet. He forgives, and grants them knowledge of his way, his covenant is with them!       8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He will teach sinners in the way.  9The meek He will guide in judgment; and the meek He will teach His way.  10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.  11For Your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.  12What man is he who fears the LORD? He shall teach him in the way that he shall choose.  13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.  14The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.