A Psalm by Andrew Novak

I have seen more evil in a single day than most Americans will see in a lifetime. I have seen the father lashing out against his children in selfish fits of rage, causing them deep physical and emotional trauma. I have seen the drunk driver traveling the wrong way on a divided highway taking the innocent family head-on and killing a child. I have seen the drug addict who has recently aborted her baby returning to her selfish life of crime and debauchery. I have seen the infant left alone out in the middle of the wilderness to die by its mother's tweaking boyfriend. I have worked tirelessly to uphold justice, just to see a calloused drug user who snuffed out the life of a three-year-old child get off with a wrist-slap. I have borne the insults, hatred, and vitriol of a generation of lazy, selfish people who choose to blame people in my profession for perceived societal wrongs, while ignoring their own wrongdoing and indifference. I have found a young man left to die by the drunk driver who mowed him over, who did nothing wrong other than being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I have found a man who was left to die in a pool of blood after being shot in his own residence by his crazed neighbor. I have seen filthy, near-naked children crawling around in a trailer full of garbage and fecies. I have seen the self-righteous so-called "Christian" exposed after many years of covering up sexual abuse of a family member. I have seen similar variations of these specific incidents over and over again. I know there is no bottom to human depravity, and we are hopelessly lost in our natural condition.

All this weighs heavily upon me when I allow my mind to remember it, and at times I feel alone and in despair. I wonder, Why try? Why keep from doing the sinful things people around me are doing? Why give my time in service to others who are going to thank me by demanding more? But when I see someone alive and well after surviving a violent crash, I remember that God's mercies are new every morning. When I hear my children laughing and enjoying life, I rejoice. When they make wise choices, make beautiful art, or serve those in need, I am the proudest dad in the county. When my foster daughter, who was subjected to meth in utero and abandoned by her mother, says, "I love you Dad," how can I not take courage? When I walk in the woods at night after a spring rain, and smell the wonderful aroma of God's creation, I am grateful for the gift of life. When I hike in the Montana mountains on a clear summer day and see the beauty of snow-capped peaks, I am in awe of the wonders of God. When I read of God's grace and justice, I am amazed that I have been granted mercy and will not receive the just consequences of my own sins. When my wife embraces me in quiet solitude, my energy is renewed. When I experience the simple, everyday, amazing grace of God, I break into a song of praise! I will talk about the goodness of God. There is power in the blood of Jesus! His love is deeper than Flathead Lake, higher than Granite Peak, longer than the Missouri River, and wider than the Eastern Montana prairie. Those who trust in Him will always have what they need. His children have a lasting inheritance, not like the spoiled trust fund brats in Whitefish and Big Sky. Those who receive Christ will experience the greatest barbecue ever, which He is preparing in honor of His children who gave their best in His service. He will bring an end to injustice and establish His peaceable kingdom forever, when God’s dwelling will be with humanity, and He will live with them. "They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things will have passed away."