Hope in Adversity

God’s Care in Times of Adversity
Today’s Reading: Psalm 66-70
Palm 66

How do we praise God sitting in a cancer treatment center? Today is my wife’s chemo treatment for her incurable cancer. A little over a year ago, our life took an abrupt and unsettling turn when Becky was diagnosed with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. In times like these, it is easy to become discouraged by life's uncertainties and even angry because heaven seems silent in the face of our trials and uncertainty. In this journey, we are not alone. As we read through the Psalms, we find a continual theme of trials and praise. The psalms do not paint a rosy picture of life where there are no problems or difficulties. Instead, the writers are confronted with profound challenges and threats. They often write from the depths of despair and discouragement. Life in a broken world is frequently difficult, and daily we are reminded that we live in a world that is dying and broken. This is true in the psalm before us.  

In the opening statement, the Psalmist calls us to join in an anthem of praise to God. However, we are not merely to praise God with the superficial praise of those who give lip service to obedience but inwardly reject God. Instead, we are to worship and sing the praise of God because of the glory of His character and the wonder of his works. However, the Psalmist recognizes that life encompasses not only the wonders of God’s character but also times of adversity and trials. However, when we examine the trials of life through the lens of God’s character, we are reminded that He brings adversity into our lives to refine us. The trials we face in life are not arbitrary and ignored by an indifferent God. Instead, He deeply cares for us, and He brings adversity into our lives, not to destroy us, but to refine us. God hears and responds to our prayers. In verse 16, the Psalmist calls upon us to listen to him as he recounts what God “has done for his soul.”  When the Psalmist prayed in his trials, God heard and responded. While God allows adversity in our lives, it is not arbitrary or pointless. God brings distress into our lives so that we might learn more about His faithfulness. It is in the midst of our trials that we are reminded that God does not turn His lovingkindness away from us. The Hebrew word translated “lovingkindness” refers to His faithfulness to His covenant promises to His people. It is a love that never quits and never forgets. He never reneges on His promises to us.

This is what gives us hope, security, and peace in the midst of the trials we face. While we may not understand why cancer strikes, we know that God always has a purpose behind His every action and the trials that He allows to occur in our lives. When heaven seems silent, we know that He still listens and hears our prayers. We can still praise Him regardless of our circumstances.  
However, the Psalmist also gives a warning. If we only give God lip service without genuine repentance, if we seek Him while still embracing our sin, then our prayers become empty and void of any power. God cares deeply for His people, but He will withhold His blessing and deliverance to those who reject His word (vs 18).  

This is why trials are a time to evaluate our hearts. When we face adversity, are we doing so from a posture of faith and surrender to God, or a posture of rebellion and disobedience to God? The latter brings fear and judgment, the former brings hope and confidence. The most important question we must ask when facing adversity is not “Why does God allow this?” Instead, the critical question we must ask is, “Am I surrendered to God and living in obedience to Him?”