At All Times

 

If I were to point to one particular passage of Scripture and claim it as a "life verse", it would be this passage from Psalm 34:

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."  (Psalm 34:1,3 NASB)

It's a worthy goal, don't you think?  To bless the Lord at all times.  To praise Him continually.

However, sometimes that is easier said than done.  It's the at all times part that trips me up.

At all times means exactly that.  At all times.

Even when the world around me is falling apart.

Even when the death of a single musician, no matter how talented, can bring the world to a standstill.

Even when the world seems to have gone crazy and common sense is no longer common.

Even when politicians declare the nation of Israel to be our greatest threat to national security.

Even when they declare that grown men and innocent little girls should use the same restrooms.

Even when they pontificate that climate change is the greatest threat to our existence.

Even when the road in front of my neighborhood is being paved, making it really, really difficult to get anywhere on time.

Even when I'm struggling through another physical therapy session, trying to get this knee to bend just a few more degrees.

Even when I'm lonely.  Or hurting.  Or feeling a bit sad.  Or feeling a bit unnecessary, as my daddy used to say.

Even then.

In all those times.  In the bad times.  And the good times.  And all the in between times.

At all times.

He is "the same yesterday and today and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8 NASB)

And He is worthy of our praise.

At all times.

Because no matter what is going on in the world around us, this truth remains:

"I, the LORD, do not change."  (Malachi 3:6a NASB)