“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42:5

Days of Our Lives

Pestilence. Drought. Raging fire. Smoke-filled skies that obliterate the sun. Cancer. Unexplained affliction. Pain. Isolation. Death of loved ones. Discouragement and depression. These are the days in which we live. Believer or unbeliever alike endure these miseries. Humankind is embattled. Life is unfair. Where is justice? Where is wisdom? I have more questions than answers. In fact, I have only one remedy.

We, like Job, ask why? How long? I don’t pretend to have those answers. I struggle alongside everyone else. I am not smart enough, wise enough, or powerful enough to offer solutions to our woes.

I freely acknowledge the pain is real. The tears flow freely. The heart aches in brokenness. The mind is troubled. Nights are sleepless and lonely. Is there any hope?

Yes! I have an anchor. I have found a refuge. There is a Counselor and One who comforts me. There is one who knows the end from the beginning. His design will play out just as He has ordained and He will bring us to our desired haven. The Almighty will prevail.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength…” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

The skies are still blue above that smoke. Clouds will bring rain once again. God still hears our cries and responds with healing, strength, breath and life. I can trust Him with all the things I neither know nor understand. He is still God.

Father, You are both my hope and my help. You are my deliverer. You are ever my joy. And especially in these days, You are my strength. Amen.