Has God Withheld Good?
Has God Withheld Good?
In Psalm 84 the writer insists (v.10), “No good thing does [God] withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Yet, even though we’re working hard to walk uprightly, we sometimes find ourselves in situations or circumstances that are very far from anything we would have chosen:
Maybe we’re not in the relationship our heart cries out for.
Maybe we’re in the relationship of our choosing, but it hasn’t turned out the way we’d expected or hoped.
Maybe our career has taken an unexpected and disappointing turn, or things have bottomed out professionally.
Maybe we don’t have the health we used to take for granted, and the future we face looks so much more limited and frustrating than the one we’d mapped out for ourselves.
Maybe “peace like a river” simply doesn't attend our way anymore.
Or maybe God has gone silent on us; that sense of his presence and love—the sense of his face shining on us—the joy that once seemed so real has evaporated and left us with the sense, rather, that God has withheld—or is withholding—good from us..
Whatever it may be, we sometimes find ourselves where we don’t want to be.
That was also true for the writer of this week’s Psalm. He longs to be in Jerusalem, and for whatever reason isn’t. His soul has a longing and desire for the courts of the Lord. His heart and his flesh cry out for the living God. He yearns to be part of the worshipping life of the Temple. But he is, for reasons we don’t know, very far from where he wants to be, and he looks longingly for what he does not, or cannot have.
So what does he do about it? And what might we learn from the Psalmist about how we might respond to similar situations or circumstances?
See you Sunday.
Steve+
Vestry Nominations
We are seeking two women to serve on Redeemer’s Vestry for three-year terms beginning January, 2023. Our Vestry holds monthly “hybrid” meetings (in person and over Zoom), and oversees our operations, personnel, and finances. If you know of someone who should serve, or would like more information, email Steve Wishart: steve@redeemerannapolis.org
Men’s Bible Study
Beginning Thursday, December 1, 7:00-8:00AM, we will gather in Eddie Holt’s workshop for a weekly men’s Bible study. Registration will begin in November.
Q-3 Financial Snapshot
Thanks be to God, Redeemer remains on a stable financial footing with revenues to date only slightly below operating and other expenses, which are on budget. Based on stated giving intentions and giving to date, we project ending 2022 in the black (especially good news as at the year’s beginning we anticipated finishing the year in the red). Your generous and sacrificial giving is deeply appreciated (and continues to be needed!).
Our savings have held steady at just over $200,000, of which $123,000 is our Forward (facility) Fund (though we have commitments for more when a suitable property is found), and $17,500 is emergency reserve—leaving just over $60,000 liquid for benevolence, operations/budget shortfalls, and unbudgeted needs for programs and ministries should they arise.
Redeemer's own giving goals (our tithing as a church body) are being met in supporting Emily Scheie on mission in Mexico, giving to disaster relief in Puerto Rico and Florida through Mercy Chefs, benevolence needs in our community, Second Sunday Sandwiches, and helping to provide for the financial needs of our diocese.
We are transparent about all our budget and spending. Should you have any specific questions about either, pleas contact our Treasurer, Jim Evans, at: jameshevans8@gmail.com
Picture credit: Christopher Lemercier on Unsplash