Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Have you noticed the mood of our world today? There is a lot of anger, bitterness, and despondency. We tend to think the past times were better than the present. But that is relative; it really depends on who you are asking.

The Voice version of the Bible renders verse 6 this way: “Crowds of disheartened people ask.” We share a lot of our negative thoughts and feelings in crowds, in public; and this we see all over the world. The psalmist is asking, “Who will show us better times?” He goes ahead and answers his own question, recognizing, personally, in verse 7, “You (that is the Lord) HAVE given me greater joy.”

Notice the transition from the crowd to personal acknowledgement. We can learn from the psalmist that, despite the chaos that is outside of us, we have joy and peace personally with the Lord. This speaks of a personal relationship with God—a personal revelation of who God is to you and to me. Because of this, we exhibit joy, and this joy is beyond the material possessions or abundance that you may or may not possess. You and I know that a certain comfort, safety, and joy comes when we have abundance. However, the Psalmist reveals something beyond the delight of our earthly possessions. He confesses a joy that only comes from the knowledge that the Lord is with us, making Himself known to us personally. The joy that the Lord gives is beyond that of “abundant harvests of grain and wine.” The knowledge that the Lord is present in our lives brings complete and total joy which is not tied to circumstances.

Since we can depend on His consistency, dependability, and protection, in spite of the tumultuous world that we live in, we can confess together with the psalmist in verse 8, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” That is the assurance with which I will begin my day: the Lord ALONE will keep me safe. That in itself gives me unspeakable joy.

Therefore, child of God, know this full well: the Lord is in control, nothing is out of hand. Trust Him today; pray to Him; He is right here. Glory to God. Amen.

By Felix Wandera, Bible League International staff, Kenya