Psalm 4

“Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.”
                                        (Psalm 4:1 NRSV)
Under the current economic conditions there have been a lot of people over the last three or four years who have prayed this prayer; although, perhaps not in so many words. God you have provided for me in the past. Please watch over me and my family now. My company has downsized, and I am now unemployed. My family is hungry. We have bills to pay. I would gladly work, if I could only find a job. Be gracious to me O Lord and hear my call.
For the unemployed there are many aspersions, dispersions, negative connotations, and misconceptions about what it means to be unemployed. Is every person living on the street homeless because they are a drug addict, or an alcoholic? No. Is every family on unemployment just a bunch of lazy free loaders who do not want to work? No. It was not always the job of the Federal Government in this country to help those in need. How long will the children of God love vain words instead of helping their brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need? How long will we deny Christ a drink of water at the well?
According to a February article on Bloomberg.com unemployment in the United States of America is up to 9% – Nine Percent. For those struggling to get buy it is easy to feel angry, and to let that anger lead to despair. The Psalmist urges us not to let our despair cause us to sin. Now is not the time to allow depression to cloud your mind. Now is not the time to let anger or pride misdirect your judgment. In your time of trial it is time to put your whole trust in the Lord, and to bring your plight before the altar of God. I am not promising a sign from God, or a financial wind fall. However, I have been down this road. I know what peace God can put in your heart to help you endure when the storms of life are raging. Now is the time to strengthen the foundations of your faith and your home. Put your faith in the Lord. Trust in God’s power and peace that you might lay down in safety with a roof over your head, food in your belly and the knowledge God will see you safely through the storms if you will but trust in God’s grace.

Amen.