Unemployment benefits late for millions. According to the New York Times, decisions involving unemployment benefits for more than a million applicants have been slowed while hundreds of thousands have waited months for checks. In response to the crisis, states are taking on billions in debt and are increasing the pressure to raise taxes or cut aid. Currently, more than 80 percent of initial payments are made within three weeks, but many cases that require individual reviews are delayed in at least 38 states.
For some reason, I find this to be very frightening...
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! (The Message)
"In these words, reproof is adminstered to the slothfulness of those who will not submit to any inconvenience for the sake of being benefited by the service of God. Yes, even in those places where they are summoned by the sound of the church-bell to public prayers, to hear the doctrine of salvation, or to partake of the holy mysteries, we see that some give themselves to sleep, some think only of gain, some are entangled with the affairs of the world, and others are engaged in their amusements. ...those who have true heart religion, and who sincerely serve God, direct their steps to the sanctuary of God, not only when the way is easy and cheerful, under the shade and through delightful paths, but also when they must walk through rugged and barren deserts."
(Commentary from Heart Aflame: Daily Readings from Calvin on the Psalms)
"The Family's Dept to Widows"
1 Timothy 5:3-4
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. (ESV)
In the Old Testament, Israel was instructed to always leave some of the harvest behind (ie, the corners of the fields) to allow widow, orphans, and sojourners places to gather food. In the New Testament, Paul gives similar instructions to the church. There were issues in the church regarding some younger widows, and this is what brought on this instruction.
Paul calls for the church to care for women who are truly in need. To "honor" widows, in this context, means to give them financial support, not just respect them. However, if the widow in question has other family, the church is to have them seek help from their other family members first. And also, if the widow had means of supporting herself, the church was not required to assist her. This was only if she was truly alone and destitute.
"The Sin of Anxiety"
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (ESV)
There are two reasons that anxiety is a sin. The first is that it is a distrust of God. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us how much God cares for us by comparing us to the birds and flowers that God takes care of. "When I give way to anxiety, I'm in effect believing that God won't take care of me."
"Anxiety is also a lack of acceptance of God's providence--His orchestrating all circumstances and events in His universe for His glory and the good of His people." We tend to focus on the immediate causes of our anxiety instead of remembering that God has all of those causes under his control.
We need hearts that are submissive to God's providential will. We need faith to believe that he does, in fact, care for us more than those birds and flowers.
I pray that the Church will always be willing to help widows who are truly in need. But give us wisdom to know when there might be others who need to be more responsible to care for them. Let us never close our hearts to those who are truly in need.
And Lord, I pray for the will to be obedient to your command to not be anxious about things. Like the author of today's reading, that is one of my most difficult temptations, and I seem to be experiencing a lot of it lately. Help me always have confidence in your provision and in your power. Help me believe that you care for me more than flowers and birds.
Grace and peace, friends.