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When Life Gets Messy

                 Many people know and love the Psalms of David, but do you know the one written by Herman the Ezrahite?   It seems that no one knows Herman’s contribution to the word of God.  However, Psalm 88 is worth some thought simply because it is a total, start to finish, song of complaint. 
The Psalms record a variety of emotions and one of the benefits of them is that they give us permission to be real with God.  Normally, though, they end on a high note.  Unfortunately, that is not true here.  Herman’s psalm concludes with these words: “Why, O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me… your terrors have destroyed me... All day long they surround me like a flood… darkness is my closest friend” (verses 16-18). 
                If Herman was standing here, what would you say to him?  More to the point, what should we do when all we can see is trouble and hope seems out of reach?
                Jesus gave a one word answer:  Abide! 
                “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains (Abides) in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing!” (John 15:5).  As he fills out this picture in the rest of the chapter, one thing becomes very clear; We must understand which end of the branch we are to focus on. 
Too often, I focus on the fruit producing end.  I try to force growth and make things happen.  I try to control people and situations so that things turn out the way I think is best.  However, that is not my job!   My job is to focus on the other end of the branch.  My job is to stay connected to the vine!  If I stay connected to Jesus, he will produce the fruit and make things happen in my life.  Just in case we missed that point, he underlines it by saying, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine” (verse 4).
So, what would I say to Herman or to anyone, myself included, when life seems messy?  I would say, “Keep praying.  Keep focusing on God and his promises.  Keep trusting that he is going to make something good happen”. 
           You cannot fix or control everything. Fortunately, that is not your job!

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