Big Statement

06.05.13

Psalm 33.18,19 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. (ESV)

Why do we have trouble in this life? Why sickness, pain, and sorrow? If sin had never come into the world what would our lives be like? The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him; on those whose hope is in His steadfast love. That’s a pretty big statement.

Trouble comes because it is a part of this world. And trouble isn’t necessarily senseless because there is a God whose eye is on those who hope in His steadfast love. Actually, in this life, trouble isn’t senseless at all. It may appear that way to us, but it isn’t to God who said, “… take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33) The world in all its worldliness is no match for God – to Him it’s small potatoes.

Trouble is really only an opportunity to speak truth to ourselves about Who is in charge and where hope is – hope is in the Lord. Trouble ought to cause a spiritual reaction in us by which we say, even if I die in the process, my hope and belief is in the Lord!

And then: …that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Another big statement. But the miracle of it is: He does. Why? Why would He do that? Verse 10 of this psalm says: The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. There is an unwritten, unspoken understanding on earth – earth-talk if you will – that says stuff happens: there is sickness, there are famines and some are just destined to that and that’s all there is to it. And there’s no escaping it.

God is contrary to earth-talk – He is neither fooled by it, frightened by it, nor foiled by it. All of the earth-talk that has ever been spoken doesn’t amount to anything for the one who understands His eye is on those who hope in His steadfast love – and because they do – He delivers their soul from death and keeps them alive in famine. Contrary. Unconventional. In your face…

God is about the business of being God. He doesn’t need our permission but He does desire our friendship, and there is something to His steadfast love. Not every saint who ever lived avoided trouble – trouble is a part of life. But every saint who trusted in God found peace in the midst of trouble and called out to a God who cares. His eye 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.

Big statement about a Big God who cares Big about His people. Big trouble is no match for Him and we bring Him glory when in the midst of our troubles when we cry out: O God, have mercy! He loves mercy and those who stand against earth-talk to the praise of His glory!

Father, You have mine…