Read His Words Before Ours!
Psalm 33
John 16:33
Romans 13:1
“God, what is happening in this world?”
“Where are you, God?”
“How does this tragedy fit into Your perfect plan?”
I often find these questions creeping into my mind as I watch the news and scroll through social media. Some days it can feel like the earth is in complete chaos. Warring political parties, needless violence, incomprehensible racism, corrupt governments, horrific natural disasters, extreme poverty, and desperate sickness. When our eyes behold the tragedies of the world, our hope can begin to feel as if it’s fading away and darkness is taking hold.
But for every moment I look at the hardships of this world, I remember my need to turn to the Word of God.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. (Psalm 33:4-5)
Even when we feel as if sin and darkness are winning, the Lord has and is continually filling the earth with His steadfast love. His love for the world doesn’t change according to governments, political powers, or emotional highs.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever
the plans of His heart to all generations. (v. 10-11)
The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue (v. 16-17)
In an uncertain political climate, we as believers can be certain of God’s sovereignty and love for us. The psalmist declares that human leaders cannot save us and that putting our hope in them will always fail us.
It is the counsel of the Lord alone that stands forever.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
on those who hope in His steadfast love,
that He may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine. (v. 18-19)
Famine will come. Whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, we will endure hardships in our lives. In fact, Jesus Himself promises it. On one occasion He said to His disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart. I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When we put our hope and trust in God, He is faithful to deliver us because He is bigger than the sin in our hearts and in our world.
The psalmist begins and ends this psalm with a declaration of praise:
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to Him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to Him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. (v.1-3)
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield:
For our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust His holy name.
Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in You. (v. 20-22)
We worship the God that loves us and delivers us in the midst of chaos.
Our heart is glad in Jesus Christ – not because our life is perfect or because He answers all of our prayers our way,
but because we trust Him and He is holy.
He is where our hope comes from.
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