The Good Life

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound (Psalms 4:6,7).

I watched the Democratic Debate a couple of nights ago—it could just as well been a Republican Debate—and thought of this psalm and the question, "Who will give us the good life?" 

David answers: "Lift up the light of your face upon us, Lord! You put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” 

Many seek the "good life,” hoping to find joy in prosperity and pleasant circumstances. David's happiness welled up from within and was not dependent on happenstance. He was content with God alone and the love he saw in God's eyes, a “good” far better than wine!

Emily Dickinson wrote:

Ours be the tossing - wild though the sea 
Rather than a Mooring - unshared by Thee. 
Ours be the Cargo - unladen - here 
Rather than the “spicy isles-” 
And Thou - not there.

David Roper
9.15.19