I put my hope in…
For his faithful love to us is great; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!” – Psalm 117:2, CSB“I put my hope in your word.” – Psalm 119:81, CSB
Attention spans: divine and otherwise
Attention spans can be short, can’t they! For the attention-challenged, today’s Life Journal reading includes the shortest psalm in the Bible (Psalm 117), but it also includes the second half of the longest psalm in the Bible (Psalm 119). Thankfully, these psalms teach us some things about attention, and, most importantly, how and where to focus it!
First and foremost, it’s important to realize that God’s attention span and His faithfulness to His word is never short! His faithfulness endures forever (117:2). For those of us with less divine attention spans, staying focused on an attention-demanding project (like reading Psalm 119) can be successfully accomplished by breaking it into smaller sections. This psalm is broken up into twenty-two shorter mini-psalms, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In bite-sized chunks, we travel a wide range of human emotions, just like we do in real life: from weariness (:82) and dryness (:83) to rejoicing (:162) and abundant peace (:165).
The beautiful discovery
Over and over through Psalm 119, our attention is drawn to the beautiful discovery of God through His word. His precepts and principles are desirable like vast treasure (:162), sure (:160) through both time (:160) and trouble (:86), delightful (:143), bringing great wisdom (:98), and giving ability to see the way forward even in dark times (:105) when others see only the darkness. When our attention can focus on a clear and beautiful vision, it’s much easier to keep moving forward.
The “Hallelujah!” response
Even if others prove to be unfaithful, God’s word, ways, and precepts remain entirely faithful. When enemies threaten or intimidate, God’s word gives not only wisdom, but also fills us with an awe toward Him (:161) that dwarfs the opposition in comparison. When the peace of others melts into momentum-crushing fear, our abundant peace (:165) enables us to keep taking strides with confidence. Knowing that all our ways (:168) are before this faithful God, and that His faithfulness is always toward us (117:2) in Christ, we can respond in great praise! “Hallelujah!” is the response of hearts whose attention has been captured and captivated by our great and good, wise and wonderful God whose faithful love and word will never end and never fail.
Think:
How have you found God’s written word (the Bible) to be beautiful, desirable, or particularly helpful to you in a life-shaping situation?
What is one way you’ve seen God’s faithfulness displayed in your life? How can that help you when you’re waiting to see His word bear fruit in another area?
Do you thrive with a long-term project, or do you prefer shorter-term, quickly achievable goals?
If you lead a team of people, do you know how they are wired (long-term, slow and steady progress versus needing short-term, quickly-achievable goals)?
Do you have a long-term goal that you could turn into multiple short-term mini-projects to help your team experience the ‘win’ and definable progress?
Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for Your word that helps me to know You and Your ways, to know how to approach, receive, and honor You, and to stay in step with Your Spirit. Through all the ups and downs of life, the wide range of human emotions and the many challenges, both long-term and short-term ones, keep drawing my attention to You! Fill my heart with a “hallelujah” of praise and wonder that keeps me on track, my attention held by Your faithfulness and Your word.”