It's good to think more deeply about the mercies of God in times of crisis. To help guide us in this effort, we'll consider Paul David Tripp's collection of meditations from Psalm 27 called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." You can get your own copy on Amazon here.

I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Psalm 27:6

This is a poem about our "idol-factory" hearts. Idolatry is a sin we're keenly aware of and still daily fall into. Many people and objects can become idols in our lives, but there's one that is ever-present and the hardest of all to resist: the self.

Sacrifices,
I don't want to have to make
sacrifices.
I want my plate
full
and my schedule
empty.
I want to be with people
I like,
people who are low in
maintenance and high in
appreciation.
I want control over
my time
my energy
my money
my things.
I want my days to be
predictable
and my plans
unobstructed.
I want to experience
success
and successfully to avoid
failure.
I would rather be served than
to serve.
I would rather get the gift than
to give.
I guess this all points me to
one stunning reality.
There is never a day when
my life is
idol free.
There is never a week
when I don't give myself to the worship
of another.
It is sad to say
and humbling to admit,
that the chief of these
false deities
is none other than
me.
I am the sovereign
I want to serve.
I am the king
I want others to obey.
I am the lord
I want to rule my days.
Yes, it is true,
Dear Father,
I want to be
You.
My dissatisfaction is not because
You are not
wise
faithful
loving
good,
but because I do not get
my own way.
So, once more I
bow,
once more I make my
confession,
once more I plead for
mercy
pardon
power
deliverance.
Once more I ask,
Dear Savior,
Please free me
from me
and cause this selfish heart
to find
joy
satisfaction
motivation
delight
in doing the
one thing
I was given breath
to do,
offer myself as a
sacrifice
in the service of
You.

Questions to Consider

The questions are Tripp's. I included my answers in case they're helpful to read.

1. Where, right now, is God calling you to personal sacrifice of time, energy, and/or money for the sake of the kingdom.

- Time invested with my children. Even when I'm tired or just want the time for myself.

2. What thing in your life are you holding to too tightly? Where do you wish you were sovereign so that you could guarantee that something you want remains in your life?

- Control, freedom, and flexibility with my time.