Psalm 33:11 - But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever!

We've recently challenged our kids to memorize 6 scripture verses in 6 weeks. We're sequencing the verses so they learn about God's purpose in their life. This weeks verse was Psalm 33:11 - "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever."

I've been working with the kids all week to memorize this. We've used various tools. One of which was to have the kids put their hand prints in sand... and then I shook the container with the sand and their hand print disappeared. We likened this to the way we try to make plans on our own, but the storms of life can wash them away. Then the second time we added water to the sand so it was a bit "firmer" and they put their hand prints in it. Of course, upon shaking it, the hand print lasted a bit longer but with enough sustained shaking it too was erased. The third time, we put their hand print in the wet sand and then filled the imprint with wet plaster of Paris. Then after about 10 minutes it had set enough that upon shaking it the hand print remained. Then we removed the hand print and it was "firm forever". What a great illustration of the way we can rely on our Lord.

What I have witnessed over the last 2 weeks both at work and in general society is people grasping for stability. The economy is taking, the credit crisis has finally come back to bite our insatiable appetites for "stuff", things at work are constantly changing and never quite certain. Though the future seems dim in some ways it seems bright in other ways.

I believe it was providential that God has us teaching the kids this verse this week. Because when we teach something to someone else, we actually learn it for ourselves. Instead of grasping our 401(k) for security, instead of clinging to our job for significance, instead of believing a political candidate can save us from peril, won't you first grasp for the Lord?

You see this verse - Psalm 33:11 starts with the small but poignant word "BUT." But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever.

"What about political candidates and presidential elections", you say? BUT THE PLANS OF THE LORD STAND FIRM FOREVER.

"What about the economic situation and the bailout package?" BUT THE PLANS OF THE LORD STAND FIRM FOREVER.

"What about corporate mergers and reorganizations?" BUT THE PLANS OF THE LORD STAND FIRM FOREVER.

Don't you see... the only thing that stands firm is God's plans. Everything else is just a situation He is using to get us to recognize His plan for us. Please in this time of turbulence and uncertainty as you grasp for stability, make sure you grasp the only thing that stands firm forever... He will not disappoint you.