Psalm 30:1-12 1I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 3You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 4Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 5For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 6When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” 7LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8To you, LORD, I called; to the LORD I cried for mercy: 9“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.” 11You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.
Most occupations have at least one modern characteristic in common—just about the time you think you have everything under control, new regulations and mandates arrive just in time to snap you out of potential complacency. Although frustrating at the time, these little jolts in our quotidian routines can serve a positive purpose in causing us to renew our focus on the task at hand.
In our text for today, we see David beginning and ending the psalm with praise to God. Notice the verses tucked neatly in the middle which convey the psalmist’s warning. When everything seemed under control, David was jolted out of his complacency by the realization that he was no longer living within the favor of the Lord. We, too, realize that veering off course even just a few degrees can gradually cause a complete U-turn to occur. With the psalmist we can praise God that his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! When life lulls us into a state of complacency, God’s faithfulness brings true thanksgiving.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
Thank you for the times when you shake us out of our complacency. Although we may not recognize it at the time, we humbly and gratefully thank you for your forgiveness and faithfulness.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Complacency is Hazardous to Your Health was originally written for Monday, November 28, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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