When Tragedy Hits

O. T. #1340  "When Tragedy Hits"
Dec. 10, 2018
Psalm 115
But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. Psalm 115:3

LET IT GLOW

The Psalms 115-118 were traditionally sung at the Passover meal commemorating Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt. (Life Application Study Bible)

As the Israelites sang this song, they were to do so with humility. Our successes, merits, and achievements are not to be our credit, but as an honor and praise to our God who gives them. It is not by our strength that we have done thus and so, but through His mercy.

Verse 1 notes, Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake.

Israel was to acknowledge that all the glory goes to God's name for His mercy and truth, (unfailing love and faithfulness).

God declared that He would share His glory with no one. (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11)

So when someone tells us we did a good job, shouldn't we just praise the Lord?

Isn't it our natural tendency to lean toward self-idolatry, to magnify of ourselves, and find difficulty in cleansing our hearts from these self-reflections?

LET IT GROW

Look at our key verse. Don't we tend to quote that verse whenever tragedy hits? Or when we are shocked, surprised, overwhelmed by something happening suddenly in our life? When we think about it, God is always in control, doing whatever pleases Him, as He sits upon the throne of control in heaven.
He is high above the affairs of men, though He may be oblivious to them. (Falwell)

Actually, it should bring us comfort when we consider that our loving, all-wise God is in control of everything. When a loved one dies suddenly, when we get a notice a work, if our car breaks down, if repairs on our house is more than we expected, if our loved turns on us, what do we do?

LET IT GO

Glory to the Lord on High!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Help me to trust in You in everything.