Finding Solid Ground in Slender Times

You've completed the applications, uploaded the resumes, phoned everyone you know, and are now calling down a list of new people you don't know. Meanwhile, you can count the weeks left before your finances are completely exhausted. You've prayed every step of the journey, and lately you've prayed with a rabid urgency. But still no job and no solid prospects. You believe. And you ask help for your unbelief. What is God doing here, anyway?

Maybe you have two questions: "What is God doing?" And, "Where can I stand while I wait for him to do it?" After all, doesn't the answer to that first question sometime take years to unravel?

A few familiar Old Testament characters found ways to wait for God to put solid ground under their feet.

Who's Really In Charge?

Daniel lived in uncertain times too. His life as an advisor spanned at least four kings, each of whom had the power to send him, his pals, and all the counselors to their death on a whim. But early in his career-in-exile, Daniel understood something important. While power was in the king's hands, the king's handful of power still came from God. And Daniel was not afraid to tell the ruthless king that:

" . . . the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes." (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32)

Those words could have cost him his life. Instead, recognizing aloud the reach of God's control put Daniel's life in focus, and the Lord himself became Daniel's solid ground. Recognizing God's control over the realm of mankind is a first step on solid ground.

The Brand New Thing that Could Not Happen Before

The sons of Korah knew something about uncertain times—just listen to the raw cries in their poems. In Psalm 85, they present an upbeat psalm that opens with how God turned their fortunes, forgave them, and took away his anger. But there's more. The turn was not complete: the writer continued looking for God to restore the people and move past his anger. God had acted, but the psalmist waited for the complete restoration. But he waited with intentionality:

1. He was determined to listen for what the Lord would say (85:8a). He wanted to hear those words of peace, words he hoped would keep the people from their folly.
   
2. He knew God's salvation was near—because it is always near to those who fear him (85:9). And when God's salvation is near, the door swings wide for God's glory to dwell in the land—even as God works through His waiting people.

This final foothold is very solid ground indeed. As we understand God's power over all things, we must also realize the very circumstances themselves become opportunities for God's salvation to pour through our lives. The Sons of Korah said:

"Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land." (Psalm 85.9—NAS)

God's salvation being near us means that God's glory—the purpose he has been intent on through the ages—has opportunity to grow in the very land we live, in the land our people live, and in the land where he grows our economic harvest. And so God's purposes become our solid ground.