Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NRSV.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:6-8.

I read the next passages of our psalm, Psalm 119, and wondered how can I share this? So I read it again and in slowing down remembered that this was written after a people had been enslaved and separated from the worship of God in a foreign land and who had now been allowed to return to rebuild among ruins. That happened millennia ago, but what about people today or decades ago or decades future who live in the ruins of lives shattered by delusion, slavery of every kind, injustice, cruelty? Sadly, we don’t have to look far to find people suffering. We don’t have to look far to find people who don’t care. Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, cares. I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing…I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise…I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. It is time for you to act, Lord; your law is being broken…v. 113, 114, 118, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126. Is God’s law of love for Him and love for one another being broken today? And the result? And…what a difference in every life when that person realizes their need for something better, for God. The unfolding of your words give light; it gives understanding to the simple…Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name…Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me…Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts…Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees…Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed…v. 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136. When you begin to see through God’s eyes of love for us, how can you not see how needed His love is for each one of us?

This psalm is still not over and it remains an appeal through all ages to wake up and see that the suffering we see and endure is of our making. Have we turned away from God? As a world, as a people, as sons and daughters? Turn back. Let Him include you into His love for you and for others and find the hope you have been longing for. Our God is not a god of exclusion. We do that. Our God loves His children with a passion and it is wonderful and needed. Let Him lift your heart and bring you into His love and care. Here with Him is rejoicing and thanksgiving and hope. Here with Him is Love. As I read this again, I realized that it’s easy for us to think that God returning to us, His children, seems impossibly far away given the thousands and thousands of years that have passed already with no end in sight to the suffering in this world living in the darkness of sin. But our lives do not last for thousands and thousands of years. Our lives are but a moment and then we will be with our Creator God. God is light…in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5. There is a time limit to our suffering in this life. Thank You, merciful God, and help us draw near to You now so we can experience life with You now loving us and others. What a difference…living in the light of Your Love!