Living Life by Design

It didn’t seem that long ago when the first thing I did every morning was to venture out my front door to get the newspaper. I looked forward to reading the front page to see what was goin on in the world. I’d then go to sports to check tennis scores. On the weekend, I loved rummaging through all the add’s to see what was on sale. Then finally to the comics. Starting one’s day without a daily dose of ‘Dilbert’ and ‘Peanuts’ was just not done.

Those days are long gone. I don’t know anyone who has a newspaper delivered anymore. I now have an iPad that I use as my information device. Although, I no longer read the news each morning. Our National media no longer reports the news, they simply disseminate political propaganda. Whatever ‘doom & gloom’ they can report that fits their narrative is all they seem to want to print. 

Every once in a while I will take a peek at the news app on my iPad, just to see if anything has changed. In no time, I become depressed. Evil everywhere is triumphing over good. The plans of ‘the wicked’ seem to succeed, while others are subject to the ravages of terrorism, war, poverty, injustice and of course, political narratives.

This is why we desperately need to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and listen to the word of God. As we study the Scriptures, we see the triumph of good over evil. Regardless of what the media might say, at the end of the day, good will win. Furthermore, in this struggle between good and evil, each of us in our own way, can make a difference.

In Psalm 140:6-13, David is surrounded by ‘trouble makers’ (v.9, MSG). They are ‘slanderers’ and people of violence (v.11). Some deal in physical blows, others deal in words. Both can be equally damaging. In the midst of this David cries out, ‘O Lord; do not let their plans succeed’ (v.8).

He ends this psalm on a note of trust: ‘I know that you, God, are on the side of victims, that you care for the rights of the poor. And I know that the righteous personally thank you, that good people are secure in your presence’ (vv.12–13, MSG).

Regardless of what evil the news brings each day, we can be assured of two things:

*Their plans (ultimately) will not succeed.

*We are secure in His presence.