FIGHT AGAINST CYNICISM

 

Saturday, January 1, 2022

 

FIGHT AGAINST CYNICISM

 

Read: Psalm 65

 

Ps 65:9-11

9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

 

          The definition of cynicism is an attitude of suspicion where you believe the future is bleak and that people are acting only out of self-interest. It would be so easy to tumble into that abyss even as we face the new year because we can’t get past the disappointments of yesterday! Psalm 65 is a great help in overcoming that dark mood.

 

          The psalmist begins with his focus on God which leads naturally to a focus on the actions of God. He doesn’t get far before he lays a foundation of hope. God hears our prayers! All good things spring from that truth. He then contrasts God’s holiness with our evil. He says, “iniquities and guiltiness win in me but your forgiveness conquers my guilt.”

 

          Being freed from the guilt of sin, the psalmist is now able to observe the benevolent actions of God. He brings rain to an arid land and makes it productive. Cynicism flees as he chooses to focus on God. This is the hope for the year ahead. Yes, this is the hope for the day ahead.

 

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

Lord, in a world of disappointment, let me focus on you. AMEN