I’m studying the Psalms this year and I wanted to share a simple thought from God’s book of Holy Poetry as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. In fact, “simple” is the key word to consider…
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
(Psalm 116:6)
The word “simple,” as it appears here, is not commonly used in the Bible, and when it is, usually it means “naïve.” I don’t think that quite does it justice in this verse, however. I think the idea is that God takes care of those who know better than to try and fight all their own battles, solve their own problems, and worry over their own struggles. If God can handle them all, why not let him?
A complicated person is always juggling his battles, problems, and struggles. He’s knee-deep in “things.” He’s neck-deep in “issues.” He’s busy-busy-busy. He’s the clichéd dad in 80s Christmas movies, with the suit and tie and trenchcoat, late for his son’s Christmas pageant because he was held up at the office. That old tale.
It’s better to be simple. It doesn’t mean “be dumb.” It means to live with less on your plate. Can you control “it” (whatever “it” is)? If not, give it to God. And even if you can, can you control all the other “it” things you’re trying to juggle? You might be able to control one of them, but twenty of them? No way you’re juggling all of that without dropping the ball somewhere. God, on the other hand, can juggle better than all of us. Give it all to Him (1 Peter 5:7).
What happens to an anxious person who gives all his anxieties to God? What does he do with all that newfound free time? One thing he does is stop to smell the roses. He is able to exhale, to look around, and to see the many blessings God has given him, in place of his anxieties.
As we talked about in the sermon yesterday, if you want a good Thanksgiving resolution make it that one: If you sometimes struggle “being thankful” it’s probably because your mind is too cluttered with worries. Remove the worries, let God handle the hard stuff, and you will find your “simple,” uncomplicated, uncluttered mind will be free to give thanks for all that God has done for you.
~Matthew