Reflections On Psalm 33...

This Psalm is a call to shout for joy, to praise God. Surprising to some, Christianity is supposed to be a happy, joyful thing. We are to give thanks, to sing songs, to pour our hearts out to God. I confess I don't live with this type of elation as much as I'd like, and I am driven to ask why. I think it is that too often I am seeking to rejoice in things that are so unworthy of celebration. This struck me last night as I was watching the gold medal game hockey game between Canada and U.S.A. I was really rooting for the U.S. to win, but would my life have been any better if they had? Sure I could have had some gloating privileges over my Canadian friends for a little bit, but in the end a sports game is kind of a meaningless thing. And as the Canadian team was celebrating its overtime win, and as the crowd in Vancouver was shouting for joy, I was wondering how long that victory-induced joyous high would last for them. My guess is that most, if not all, are already feeling the letdown. I know from a little personal experience that no victory ever lasts or ultimately satisfies, at least not when our definition of victory is so shallow. We have the tendency to define victory as a new tv, a raise, a fun night out, a lower golf score, bigger biceps and a smaller waist, a good night at the poker table, the admiration of our peers, a little attention from a love interest, or the failure of our enemies. Why do we so desperately seek satisfaction in such trivial affairs? Why do we trust in ourselves to determine what will bring us joy? Why do we trust in our own strength, when God is telling us that kings, armies, and warhorses have not the strength to save themselves? Of course the short answer is sin. I have an incredible capacity to rejoice in things that are almost entirely without worth, and then struggle to muster any praise for God. Thankfully David gives us a reason to shout for joy. God spoke the heavens into existence, knows all people intimately, is righteous and just, and is unendingly loving and faithful. When we look to him for our strength, satisfaction, hope, love, and joy, we are standing on solid ground. He is the fountain that never runs dry, whereas every man-centered accomplishment is forgotten in an eye's blink. Like Percy Shelley this psalm of the shepherd-king David labels Ozymandias a fool. My prayer right now is that we can appropriately assess our passing victories and continually look to the Lord and shout for joy, finding our trust in Him.