Quality of Life Issues

S - “Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased. In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.” Psalms 4:6-8 WEB

O - These words written by David are not only inspired by God's spirit but also by his own experience. The interaction described is intimate. The surrounding circumstances are average, earthly and even mundane.  The results are extraordinary. The face to face with God. Deep and peaceful sleep. Gladness of heart and safety. All of these "to die for" results have only one source. "Yahweh alone". Fortunes, armies, religious practice and abundant harvests can't produce or sustain this quality of living.

A - Military, financial, religious, educational and governmental institutions at their best do not produce or sustain such living and at their worst they oppose it. History confirms this with relentless uniformity and unflickering consistency. The point isn't to destroy these cultural realities but to see them for what they are and what they are not; to keep them from opposing the quality of life heaven intends for all. The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness should be open to all and the many paths people think to engage in such pursuit. The finding, however, is in one source alone which transcends them all. “The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings, that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:24-27 WEB

P - Lord,

You alone are good and have shown great good to earth and its inhabitants. You have filled the earth with your loving kindness but we have filled it with much cruelty and heartache. Thank you for wanting into our lives at the most basic levels unto safety, sleep and glad hearts. I welcome you and your will on earth the way they do in heaven; completely and without reserve … unto that which is too wonderful for me.

You are life, peace and safety,

Steve