Return to your rest, my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
(Psalm 116:7, NIV)
“Good luck.” Two words that are among the most commonly spoken in the English language, at least when it comes to wishing someone well.
Without getting sidetracked by the existential or theological implications of luck, we can take a casual “good luck” as it’s offered—a kind expression of hope for the best. And when it comes to these words being spoken by the starter on the first tee of a competitive round, I’ll gladly receive it as an offering that might lead to a helpful bounce or two.
But now we also often hear, “Good luck with that,” spoken with the unmistakable tone of sarcasm. Its true meaning is something more like, “I’d like to be nice, but fat chance that’ll work out.”
So what does today look like for you? Is it shaping up as a “good luck” day or a “good luck with that” day? Are you thinking things will all work out nicely, or are you fearing something different?
When we come to “good luck with that” days, it’s hard to put our soul to rest. Or much else. Our mind is whirring, our stomach churning, and our feet are probably on the move. Someone else is taking the leisurely lunch or quitting early to sneak in a bucket of balls at the range before heading home. We’re the one ablaze with activity.
Then the Lord—gracious and righteous and full of compassion—intervened.
If this is only a matter of this day or that, we can get by. Our soul will survive. But when the restless days start to line up like so many precarious dominoes, we’re in danger. In fact, if you can’t clear your calendar or to-do list enough to give your soul some latitude nearly every day—well, good luck with that!
Psalm 116 is one of the unattributed psalms. We don’t know who wrote it. That’s probably for the best, as otherwise we might assign its theme to David or Asaph or the sons of Korah and reduce its application to us. But unattributed, it is a psalm of “the everyman,” lyrics that can land equally with any of us.
The song begins with the psalmist recounting a frightening time when “the anguish of the grave came over me.” Death, distress, and sorrow all loomed above the writer, who cried to God for mercy. Then the Lord—gracious and righteous and full of compassion—intervened. And the psalmist declared rest for his soul.
Your own current activities and anxieties might not be as oppressive as death, distress, and sorrow, yet they still may sap your soul. Is it time to cry out to God? Is it time to sit down and declare his rest, recounting the mercy and blessings God has shown you in quiet reflection?
Wherever you are in life, know this: Your soul matters to God. Let him have it. He’ll put it to rest.
—
Jeff Hopper
March 29, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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