Ups and Downs

September 5

(Psalm 107:33-43 NIV) “He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, {34} and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there. {35} He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; {36} there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. {37} They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; {38} he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. {39} Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; {40} he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. {41} But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. {42} The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. {43} Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV) “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: {2} a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, {3} a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, {4} a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, {5} a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, {6} a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, {7} a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, {8} a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

There is an ebb and flow to life that neither the wicked nor the righteous escape. We all have our ups and downs. Anyone who thinks otherwise is living in denial. Sometimes these ups and downs are the result of our lifestyle and our personal decisions. Sometimes they come simply because we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be great if life were a neat package, all tied up with a bow, but it is not. Life is messy. We can help ourselves by living with order and rhythm, but no one is immune to interruptions that can change the course of our lives. We will have days of laughing and days of weeping. We will enjoy times of great gain and suffer through times of great loss. The wise will accept this and stay in touch with the Lord. His love is steady and never failing. Whether we are up or down, He is our Rock and our Redeemer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day