A few weeks ago, I was texting with a friend about how much we’re missing out on this year. I typed the words, “Nothing good is happening right now.” As soon as I saw that sentence, it was like holding up a mirror to my heart. I knew those words reflected my raw attitude but not the heavenly reality. My eyes were set on things of earth rather than the things of heaven. 

When we look at this world and all its challenges and disappointments, it feels like nothing good is happening right now. But if we turn our eyes heavenward to our Heavenly Father, we will see the goodness of all His gifts to us. 

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

In these verses, Paul encourages us to focus on Christ and all that we have in Him. He tells us to set our minds on things above rather than the things on earth, because he knows that the earthly treasure is fleeting and capricious. This world may temporarily satisfy us, but it can’t and won’t ultimately fulfill our desires. 

When Paul mentions Christ seated at the right hand of God, he wants us to remember the victorious Lamb of God. Christ has taken the punishment for our sin on the cross. He’s conquered death by rising again. He’s secured our salvation and defeated any enemy that could threaten to take us from Him. 

I’m thankful the whopping disappointment of 2020 isn’t all we have. We have things that are above—namely Christ and all He’s given to us. We have salvation, forgiveness, adoption, and a glorious future with Him. These heavenly treasures are secured by His grace and can never be taken away from those who are in Christ. 

No matter what you face this week, set your minds on things that are above. 

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I sometimes wonder if squirrels come to our yard just to torment our dog, Samson. They run up and down the tree next to the windows while Samson goes absolutely bonkers on the other side of the glass. If we open the back door to let him out, he runs at top speed directly for the squirrels, who always scamper up a tree and out of reach. Despite his lack of success, he is always consumed by his pursuit. 

In Psalm 23 we learn that as God’s beloved sheep, we lack nothing we need as we enjoy quiet waters and green pastures of refreshment. We are not alone as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Our cup overflows with the provision of our Shepherd. And in this final verse of the psalm, we see how God’s good gifts continue to pursue us now and through all our days. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

The Hebrew word for “follow” could also be translated as pursue or chase. God’s goodness and mercy don’t amble behind us like a child who’s been sent to his room. They relentlessly pursue us and never let us out of their sight. We did nothing to earn them—they are a gift of God’s grace—and they can’t be taken away. These amazing gifts of goodness and mercy will follow us all the way to our eternal home, where we will dwell with the Lord forever. 

When it feels like God’s goodness can’t keep up with the troubles we face . . .

When we wonder if we’ve out-sinned the riches of His mercy . . . 

When we feel alone and discouraged and we can’t see evidence of His presence with us . . . 

Let’s take comfort in this truth: God’s goodness and mercy are following us all the days of our lives. He is with us now, and He sent His Son so that we can be with Him forever. 

No matter what you face this week, God’s goodness and mercy are yours forever. 

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I hate to wait. As someone who hates to wait at red lights, you can imagine the distress I feel every time I’m required to go to the Pit of Waiting Despair known as the Department of Motor Vehicles. 

We groan when we hear that we need to visit the DMV, don’t we? Because we know we will have to wait. And the DMV is a minor inconvenience compared to the big waits in life. 

We’re all waiting for life to return to normal—to be with friends and family, to worship together, travel, gather, and celebrate occasions as we used to. Maybe you’re also waiting for healing, for reconciliation in a relationship, or for a prodigal child to return. Maybe you’re longing to be reunited with a loved one here or in heaven. 

When I go to the DMV, I know I’ll eventually leave with the renewed license I came for. But in the rest of life, we often don’t know when or how our waiting will end. What we do know is the character of the One we are waiting for.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

We can be strong and have courage as we wait, because we know the Lord is with us. Our hope isn’t in a particular outcome; our hope is in Him. His presence gives us peace as we wait. 

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7)

And as we wait, we can have peace because of the promises of God’s Word. The truth of His Word sustains us as we wait. 

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

Waiting is hard, friends. But we are not left alone. We are waiting for the Lord, who gives us hope through the promises of His Word. 

No matter what you face this week, let your heart take courage as you wait for the Lord. 

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