Assets without understanding are dangerous. This is a simple truth and painfully true. The Message paraphrase is especially encouraging (not) to those of us facing uncomfortable obstacles soon. Take a look at that bottom line:

We age. We weaken. We die.

This sounds like a Monday verse, doesn’t it? It’s the kind of verse you would expect after traveling across the country and back, arriving early at the destination and having to sit on the tarmac for forty-five minutes until a thunderstorm clears the area, making everyone late for dinner, and the five-year-old birthday girl even later for bed on the night before her big party.

It sounds like the kind of verse you would expect on a Monday when the return flight is struck by lightning, you can’t get to sleep even though you are back in your own bed with your own pillow, and you have an important appointment the next day in preparation for surgery the following Monday. 

Observation: Mondays often deserve their reputation.

What’s your favorite Monday song? The Mamas and The Papas sang the memorable line, “Can’t trust that day,” in their classic Monday, Monday.

Mondays may be blue, rainy days. They may be filled with more appointments and issues than we can imagine. They may wear us down and beat us up. Mondays can be so Monday.

Where do we go for hope with Bible verses like this one and the day of the week more people die from heart attacks on more than any other?

Scroll back up the psalm and find verse 5. Here is a timely rhetorical question.

Why should I fear in times of trouble?

Implied answer: I shouldn’t. 

God is in charge here, even on Monday. This puts a whole new spin on this day with the bad reputation. Because God is working out his plan and his purpose, we can relax into his gracious hands and loving heart. 

This is a good day 
To learn how to pray
In a whole new way

Pray fear into faith.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart.

Live in the confidence of God’s good grace for this moment and this place.

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I will live confidently.

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Our Father, you led us through the storms. You protected us from destructive possibilities. You gave us peace and safety. You blessed us with rest. You are here with us now, you will be with us all day, you are as available as ever and as loving, strong, and wonderful beyond our greatest need. Thank you for this Monday. Amen.