Troubled
"The Virtue of Vice Stocks" is the title of an article by Thomas M. Anderson for The Kiplinger Letter. The author reports that when times are hard, investing in tobacco, alcohol, and gambling companies are a sure-fire way to build one's portfolio. This is true, he reports, because in troubled times, these businesses are not affected by economic downturns. In fact, Anderson says, they grow because people turn to vice when they are troubled.
What do you turn to when you're troubled? In Psalm 6 David seems to be suffering through a sleepless night. He is troubled. The word "Troubled" (ESV) or "Dismayed" (NASB) is used three times in the Psalm. However, David turns to the Lord ("Yahweh," 8x).
Note also the use of" gracious" in verse 2, and" compassion" in verse 9. They come from the same root word and provide a great set of bookends to the Psalm. Also interesting are the many words he uses to describe his dismay in verses 6-8; different words. Here we find a troubled David crying out to the Lord for compassion in three stages.
THE PLEA (vv. 1-3)
Verse one's synonymous parallelism asks the Lord not to rebuke nor chasten with His wrath nor anger. Instead, in verse two, David asks Him to be gracious and heal because the psalmist is troubled, or dismayed. It is only to the Lord we can turn for grace to deal with the troubles of this life.
THE PAIN (vv. 4-7)
The Psalmist calls for the Lord to return. Whether this separation is real (because of David's sin) or just perceived (because of the trouble caused by the sins of others) is unclear.
THE PROMISE (vv. 8-10)
David wants to get rid of evil companions. He is sure the Lord has heard his prayer. Now David has confidence and courage because God is with him. Why can this be the case? David was penitent and called out to the Almighty!
When you are troubled do you turn to sin or to the Savior? Do you choose vice or victory? We have a gracious Lord who wants us to turn to Him. When you are troubled, pray Psalm 6 and look to a loving Lord who is bigger than anything or anyone that may trouble you!
Avoid A Collision With Trouble
What are the odds that you might have a collision with a deer, elk or moose? According to recent data from State Farm, in 2015 your odds of a collision are 1 out of 169. However, those odds double during breeding season, which takes place from October through December. If you live in West Virginia, the odds are much worse, peaking out at 1 in 44. But here’s a bit of good news; for the ninth year in a row, Hawaii has rounded out the bottom of the list with odds of 1 in 8,765!
Trouble is more likely to happen where trouble dwells! Therefore, if you want to avoid trouble, don’t hang out there! In this case, that would be West Virginia. Instead, get to Hawaii and stay there! (By the way, this is likely the best application you are ever going to hear in a sermon! You’re welcome!!)
Spiritually speaking, we are called to use great caution when venturing into dangerous, worldly territory. Clearly, it is often unavoidable, since we are called to be in the world but not of it. Yet Scripture declares, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers” (Psalm 1:1). To this point, we can learn a thing or two from State Farm's advise:
Use extra caution in known deer zones
Be on guard when in the company of the unsaved. "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals'” (I Corinthians 15:33); "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Proverbs 13:20).
Always wear your seatbelt
Put on the whole armor of guard. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm ... For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world ... Therefore, put ... on the belt of truth and ... [p]ray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere" (Ephesians 6:10-18).
At night, when there is no oncoming traffic, use high beams
Allow the Word of God to be a light to your feet. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Avoid swerving when you see a deer
Don't be fearful as you approach trouble: hold your ground. "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
And as for the additional facts you should know, State Farm adds the following:
Deer are on all roads
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Deer are unpredictable
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you" (1 Peter 4:12).
The hours between dusk and dawn are high risk times
"But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him” (John 11:10); "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
When The Chips Are Down
"When storm clouds gather over the economy, people often seek shelter in a glass of whiskey, a pack of cigarettes, or the green blaze of a roulette table," says Thomas M. Anderson in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.
That's why many financial advisors are telling clients to invest in sin as a bulwark against a possible recession.
"Tobacco, alcohol, and gambling have long been called 'sin stocks' or 'vice funds'—when the economy takes a downturn, historically these stocks have held up in the market. During the recession of 2000–2002, the Standard & Poor's index showed that broader stocks tumbled 47 percent as casino and gaming stocks grew 115 percent."
In troubled times where do you turn? To God or to sin?