What goes up must come down. It is not only a scientific principle, but it is also true of life. I spoke with a colleague some months ago who asked how things were going at church. I had numerous positive things to say. When I was finished he told me, “Well you know that will change.” Oh yeah. What goes up must come down. Things may be going well but that can change at any moment. And things may be going really badly and that can change in a moment as well.
In Psalm 107 there are several images of drastic changes. We often think of these images in the Bible as signs of hope and promise. Some in Psalm 107 are, like these:
God turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water. . .
God raises up the needy out of distress,
and makes their families like flocks.
But there are also verses that indicate reversals in a negative direction:
God turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
a fruitful land into a salty waste. . .
God pours contempt on princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes. . .
In this psalm, we see good things going sour and bad things turned around. It can happen both ways. While my colleague’s comment, “Well, you know that will change,” appears cynical at first, with some reflection it seems realistic. A reality check. But with more thought, I see it as an invitation to ground my reality and my faith in God, not in outward circumstances whatever they may be. Those circumstances will change. Possibly because of my actions or in spite of them. Things may change due to factors I have no influence over. Will I let outside circumstances control me? Determine my attitude about life? Shape my faith?
In the psalm again and again the writer refers to the steadfast love of God. This is referred to repeatedly because this is what is important to remember. This is what should ground us. This is the one thing we need to know. God’s steadfast love endures forever. Other things will change. Fortunes will rise and fall. Elation and affliction will find us. And sometimes at the same time. Through it all, God’s steadfast love endures forever. When we ground ourselves in that love, then we are freed from being defined by outward circumstances. We are liberated from being controlled by good fortune or difficulties. Our well-being, our core, our lives can be healthy and joyful regardless of what we are going through. Trusting God’s steadfast love frees us from bondage to what is happening in our lives. We can have many experiences in life and still remain solid and grounded because God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Prayer
Life’s circumstances continually change. Our fortunes rise. Tragedy strikes. Life can be a roller coaster. But on the whole ride, including every up, every down, every curve, and every loop we can trust the steadfast love of God. Our joys and our sorrows may dim, but the steadfast love of God remains sure and steady. When we trust that love, we are free to live life fully, abundantly, and without fear as Jesus did. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 