Seeing the God of Hope

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. (Psalm 11:4)

Beloved,

Sue was in a difficult marriage. Her husband did not treat her very well and struggled with a pattern of destructive behavior. She battled to find joy in her marriage and to honor her husband. Her friends saw her struggle and told her to give up on her marriage. “What is the point? Why do you even try? Nothing is ever going to change.  Just give up and get out.” It is counsel that is all too commonly given to those struggling through difficulty.

King David received the same hopeless counsel from his friends. In Psalm 11, someone said to him, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:1-3) His friends encouraged him to give up and flee for, in their minds, there was nothing he could do.  And yet, David didn’t run, but said, “The Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” God was in complete control.  He saw everything that was happening and was not surprised by his trials.  David took refuge in the Lord. He sought protection from God in the midst of his struggle. 

Do not listen to the hopeless counsel of “well-meaning” friends.  With man things are impossible, but with God all things are possible. Even though we may not feel like God is in control, let your heart take courage and trust in God’s sovereign power. David’s friends asked a rhetorical question, “What can the righteous do?” They expected that the only answer was to be nothing, but David gave the answer they were not expecting.  The Lord is sovereign and does all that He pleases (Psalm 115:3).

Sue can persevere in a difficult marriage because God is good and will use her trying marriage to sanctify her and give Him glory.  Beloved, do not listen to hopeless counsel, but trust in the God of hope to “fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom 15:13)

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