I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.  – Psalm 37:25

King David called himself old when he wrote this Psalm.  If he was 30 when he became king and then ruled for 40 years, then he was 70 when he died.  Here I sit this morning at 50 years old.  I’ve lived on this planet about 71% of the time that David did.  I almost can’t believe the swings and shifts in society that I’ve seen with my own eyes.  

Right now, there are some serious issues taking place with this whole government shutdown mess.  People are being forced to work for free.  People are threatening to steal and rob if they don’t get money for food.  Each side of the political spectrum is blaming the other side as the primary problem.  There is so much unrest.  There is so little peace.

I sit here and wonder what I will do if things get worse in my lifetime.  Would I compromise my values in a serious famine?  If I had everything stripped from me and had nothing, could I remain faithful to the Lord?  As I read the verse up top repeatedly, it gives me great hope that I can and will.  I don’t think this verse means that no righteous person has ever gone hungry, but it does mean that they are empowered by God to never panic.  There is no need to lie, extort, cheat, steal or beg for our basic needs, for we have God as our provider.  There is no need to rush out to the grocery stores and empty the shelves before everyone else does, for God Himself will take care of us.  If we are truly living for Him and allowing Him to work in our lives, we have no reason to fear.

Lord, I’m so comfortable right now.  I’m typing on my MacBook, rocking in my chair next to my gas logs warming me in as fine of a home as You’ve ever given anyone.  I could never thank You enough and You know I could never pay You back.  My heart is so full.  I think of how far You’ve brought me along and how much You’ve changed me over the years.  I’m righteous, but only because You’ve been making me that way ever since I received Your righteousness 34 years ago.  Help me continue to trust that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  Help me continue to trust that You will always meet my needs according to Your riches in glory.  No matter what, Lord . . . help me remain Yours.  Amen.