"He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." -Psalm 78:39 NIV
The psalmist writes of troubled times for the Hebrews. They had been delivered from captivity in Egypt, but chafed at their fate as they wandered in the wilderness. Their humanity overcame their faith and they complained bitterly about the privations of their wilderness journey. Despite their ingratitude, God provided what they needed; yet they continued the cycle of straying from and returning to Yahweh.
As we struggle with pandemic restrictions and the fundamental changes to the most basic aspects of human existence, we too are tempted to wail, gnash our teeth and cry “woe is me”. In times such as these it is helpful to remember that God does not wish us ill and will never abandon us. With the divine gift of free will comes the possibility for suffering, but God knows our weakness and continues to provide what we need.
Perhaps the psalmist captures this dynamic well in Old Testament understanding when he says: “He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.” However, as we struggle with our masks and with the inability to be with one another as we would like, we give thanks for the expanded New Testament concept of grace sufficient for all our needs.
Prayer: Gracious God, we ask for the ability to put our current troubles into perspective, secure in the knowledge that your love for us and our concern for others is all that we need to overcome any adversity and to ensure that while we may be but a passing breeze in this life, eternity awaits with you. Amen.
Thought for the day: Scripture assures us that this too shall pass and that God is with us always.
--Alan Hicks
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