One of the major problems that moderns have is that they think they are shielded from the world. They live as if they’ve been wrapped in a ball of cotton such that all of their problems come from within not from without. This also leaves them in the predicament of thinking thier solutions come from within. Now that particular ball of cotton might feel cozy at the start. But eventually you start to sweat in there.

Consider the true state of things: You might have personal problems but even those personal problems came to you through a long train of abuses starting with your father Adam. What you must do is look away from self for solutions. Open your ears and listen to what is going on out there.

The psalmist says “thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). It is one thing to have the LORD out in front of you with a song, and another to have Him behind. You’d think that would be enough. But apparently you are surrounded on all sides with this redemption melody. Christ behind you. Christ before you. Christ beside you, beneath you, and above you.