Hope in Uncertain Times
In these days of uncertainty and with so many changes in our lives, we need hope. Hope comes from the Lord and through His word. There is no way to number the changes that are taking place in people’s lives. These are just a few of the areas where change is affecting people: finances, fear responses, confusion, conflicts, work issues, racial issues, losses, and more. These issues existed to some degree prior to COVID-19 and the recent protests, but the effects seem to have increased.
What can we do?
Can we actually do something? What can we change? While we have limited control over the situations, we can make small changes. For example, you can wash your hands, practice good social distancing, smile at and pray for others. The biggest thing we can change is our perspective. There is only one true perspective in life, and it must come from the scripture. Scripture helps us to see life for what it truly is: eternal. While reading Psalm 33, I found it helpful to adjust my perceptive from a fearful, self-focused, tunnel vision to God’s perspective. I will highlight a few thoughts on the passage to help you begin to adjust yours. May you be blessed and find peace.
Trust God.
The Steadfast Love of the Lord
Psalm 33 English Standard Version (ESV)
Praise God with singing!
1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
In verses 1-3, we see that we must praise the Lord with singing and music. Music engages our hearts and souls. We see this when we connect to love songs or songs of sorrow. Notice that God commands us to turn our attention to Him with Praise and sing to Him. Take ten minutes to listen and sing a hymn or praise song. Afterward, check your perspective. It will begin to change.
Observe God’s marvelous creation!
4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of His mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!
9 For He spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
Verses 5 and 9 discuss “creation” and how it was formed. In Genesis, we learn that out of nothing, God created. Wow! When you think about how God created and how He sustains life on His own, it should be encouraging. Take some time to observe his creation outside or look at some of the amazing pictures of creation. This may beg a pivot of your perspective.
Experience peace knowing God is in control!
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might, it cannot rescue.
Verses 10-17 shows who is in control. God is in control! We are also encouraged in these verses to see that He is maintaining and remaining in control of all things. He sees what is going on daily in “all”. Nothing is a surprise to Him and nothing is outside His Authority. This may be hard to understand, yet is it true.
I am reminded of Deut. 29:29, “the secret things are with the Lord.” You have a choice who will you trust: the one who knows, sees, and controls all things, or yourself and your perception that you control your life. Take a few minutes to meditate on the way that God has ordered your steps with his protection and though life lessons. Also, consider what your “warhorse” may be and turn to Him.
Rest in the hope of God’s promises.
18 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.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Finally, in Verse 16-22 is our hope and practice. God is our Salvation; He is our hope and sustainer through all eternity. Consider what you are delivered from. Yet, we still live with its effects. Viruses were not in the garden and hate and racism were not in the Garden. However, due to the fall sin runs rampant along with its effects.
We need a deliverer. It is Christ, God’s gift, who is our means for salvation. Notice in the last verse that he (the Psalmist) prays an ongoing prayer “Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” God’s steadfast love is here, yet we need to pray for it to continue to help bring our minds back to the truth of this reality.
Take a few moments to consider your salvation and who the Lord is. See how your perspective changes. If you do not believe, please consider the words of this Psalm, and see your only true hope for now and eternity.
Rejoice with a new perspective!
Perspective can be changed, which leads to hope to keep living life with Joy. I pray you consider the truth and it will set you free, not only from sin but from the daily craziness going on around us.
by Troy Snyder MS, NCC, LPC, CCSAS, CPCS
Roswell and Woodstock Locations,
troy@restorationcounselingatl.com, ext. 113
Troy specializes in three distinct areas: sexual addiction, anger, and adolescent issues. In these specialties, he works with adult males, adolescent males, and couples. He takes a holistic approach to help his clients by working closely with the parents, spouse, family members and friends to help his clients create a better foundation for success. Troy also provides counseling for all issues relating to men and adolescent boys.