Week 24: Finding a haven in midlife

A meditation on Psalm 36 and how God's lovingkindness is our safe haven in midlife

Have you ever felt surrounded? Thankfully, few of us have been physically surrounded by enemies on all sides with no chance of escape. But what if I change the question a bit, and ask if you have ever felt spiritually surrounded, backed into a corner, or under attack?

I think all of us can relate to that feeling. Whether it is because of conflict within the family of God or hostility from those who don't share our faith, we have all probably felt some form of spiritual oppression. We do our best to create little havens of peace, but sin and struggles press in and dampen our joy.

A Safe Haven for Our Souls

Psalm 36 reminds us that God has provided a safe haven for his people right here on earth, right in the middle of the struggle. That haven is His lovingkindness.

However, that theme isn't readily visible with a quick reading of Psalm 36. In fact, the psalm begins and ends with a discussion of sin that feels discouraging and hopeless:

Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart:

There is no fear of God before his eyes.

and

There the doers of iniquity have fallen;

They have been thrust down and cannot rise.

Psalm 36: 1 & 12, NASB

When I read those begining and ending verses, my heart sank. "Evil is inescapable; it surrounds me," I thought to myself. Because I had missed the heart of the psalm!

According to author and theologian W. Robert Godfrey, English readers focus on the beginning of a poem to get the context and on the end of a poem to learn the main point. But the poetic form used by the Hebrew writers of the Psalms often puts the main message right in the middle of the poem.

In the case of Psalm 36, that means that what we are supposed to focus on and cling to is verses 3-9. Those verses remind of such truths as

Your kindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,

Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

and

For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light we see light.

Psalm 36: 3 & 9, NASB

The middle line of Psalm 36 culminates in this powerful statement of praise:

"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!"

(vs. 7, NASB)

This is the central, key point of Psalm 36, sandwiched between the descriptions of despair: The most precious treasure on earth is the merciful, grace-filled love of God toward each one of us.

A Midlife Haven in the Middle of My Struggles

What if, my friend, the structure of Psalm 36 was a clue for how we should live as the sandwich generation? Here we are in midlife, surrounded by all the changes and challenges that come with this life stage, and it is easy to feel pressured from all sides. Yet, right there in the middle of all the stress, we have access to the lovingkindness of God as He invites us to take refuge in His light and enjoy the abundance He provides. Does that make a difference in how we view our circumstances here in middle age? It does for me--it gives me hope.

This principle that the poetic structure of Psalm 36 is teaching us echoes the theme of a very familiar psalm:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

Psalm 23:4-5a, NASB

What Psalm 36 communicates through it's structure, Psalm 23 speaks to directly: No shadow of evil and death is a match for the presence of God in our lives. He loves us so much that He provides a table of refreshment for us in the middle of our struggles. We are seated at that table whenever we spend time in God's Word or in conversation with Him and with others who love Him.

So here's the question for us as we meditate on Psalm 36 this week: Where am I living? Am I living in the darkness and depression surrounding the promises in Psalm 36? Or am I living in the light of God's lovingkindness? Let's live in the Light, friends!

Readings and Reflection Questions

Monday's reading: Psalm 36

Read through this psalm and make a note of the provisions God has made for us through His lovingkindness. How might you ask God to specifically strengthen you through one of His promised provisions?

Tuesday's reading: I John 1:5-9

John is very realistic in this passage. He knows that we all struggle with sin, but that sin keeps us from fellowship with God even when we are Christians. What is the solution to the problem of sin in this passage? What are the benefits of walking in the Light?

Wednesday's reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

List the promises God makes to His people in this passage. Which speak encouragement to your midlife experience?

Thursday's reading:  John 8:1-12

This familiar story of the woman who was accused before Jesus ends with Jesus describing Himself as "the Light of the World." What is Jesus's promise concerning those who follow Him? How is Jesus lighting your way through midlife?

Friday's reading: Colossians 1:13-23

In this description of the creative and redemptive power of Christ, what evidence do you find that He is able to defeat the power of sin and darkness in your life?

Weekend reading:  Psalm 119:33-40

This psalm describes the power and holiness of God. What responses should people have to God's holy and awesome presence according to this psalm? Are you dwelling in His presence today?

Source:

Godfrey, W. Robert. (2017). Learning to Love the Psalms. Ligonier Ministries. Available at https://store.ligonier.org/learning-to-love-the-psalms-hardcover