Are you feeling overwhelmed?
There is so much going on in our country. There is confusion, anger, frustration, destruction, and fear. Confusion and fear are generating a very real feeling of oppression. We are continuing to be subjected to restrictions caused by a virus; our economy is in crisis; political and racial tensions are dividing our nation. Who has an answer for what is happening, who has a solution? Can people find common ground for cooperation and healing?
There’s an element in our society that believe that sowing discord and destruction is necessary to bring about a new world order. The foundations of our country are being destroyed, and our leaders and politicians seem powerless to stop it. Or, unwilling to stop it for some political gain. But, if the chaos is allowed to continue, it may get so out of hand that no one will be able to control it or stop it.
There’s a scripture that says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Proverb 13:12a
The things happening in our nation are making many “heart sick”, and our hope for peace and security are being deferred, or being destroyed. What or Who are we putting our hope in?
In our Saturday Men’s Prayer meeting, I shared the scripture, Psalm 11:3 “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”
When studying the word of God, it’s important to understand the scriptures within their context. Verse 3 is a cry from someone that’s distressed by what they are witnessing in their country. What can he do? Does he flee into the wilderness to escape the insanity? The wicked are rampant and unrestrained. The writer feels threatened as a weapon seems to be aimed at him. Just as we feel our peace and security are being threatened.
Psalm 11
“In the LORD I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
Verses 4 thru 7 is God’s answer to our dilemma, to our fear and distress.
Verses 4-7, “The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.”
What about the present distress? “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.” Psalm 73:16-17
This is the full rendering of Proverb 13:12, ”Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Our greatest desire is to be with Jesus. This is our blessed hope. One day our hope will be realized.
God tells us the end of the ungodly, and it's not good. He confirms to us our glorious inheritance. Our present distress cannot be compared to the glory that is awaiting us. Be encouraged!!
-Bro. Scott
