Who Can You Count On? Hope Series #11

There is so much need all around me today:

• a family worried sick about their suicidal teen
• my beloved one in relentless pain
• those I care about living in dangerous areas of the world
• dear ladies abandoned by those who vowed to love them forever
• ministers waiting for the means to do God’s work

Add to that my own problems and concerns. I am overwhelmed; so aware of my insufficiencies. I cannot fix any of it! I don’t have the financial resources, I have no power to heal, I’m not smart enough to figure out the answers. I am small and limited. And that frustrates me!

But God reminded me I’m not supposed to fix everyone else’s problems. I’ve tried that before, and learned about the dangers of codependency. He doesn’t expect us to fix every problem we encounter. We do what we are able to— pray, give, encourage, prepare meals, hug, cry with those who are hurting, and pray again. But God is the only One who can do it all. He has the wisdom, power, resources, and perfect love for every need.

My life verse keeps me centered: David was in an impossible situation—hunted by Jonathan’s father King Saul, who was intent on murdering him so David couldn’t replace him as king. So, David ran to the desert. “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God” (1 Sam. 23:16).

I’m sure Jonathan took food and provisions for David and his men. He confirmed his friendship with him and reassured David he would indeed be king someday (even though that meant he would not be the next king). And he prayed with him. But Jonathan did not go to war against his father or stay in the desert with his friend until all David’s problems were resolved. He pointed him to the only One who could meet all his needs and went back to living his own life.

You and I cannot be The Answer for anyone else. And we will be desperately disappointed if we expect anyone other than God to solve our problems.

“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you” (Psalm 33:16-22).

Armies are only as strong as the men and weapons they contain. Horses go lame and can get shot from under you. Both men and animals get sick, and are subject to fear and bad weather.

The psalm nails it. Only God is untouched by all these things. He is the only One worthy of our hope.

• He watches over those who worship Him
• He is merciful
• He will keep His followers alive until it’s our time to go to be with Him
• He is our help
• His is our Shield and Protector
• He is holy, righteous, perfect, divine

We need hope—for ourselves and for those we love. For our broken world. For those who do not know the love of Christ. God knows this and will answer our cries. Let us lift up our hands to Him in faith and praise. This song, “God Really Loves Us” by the Crowder band and Dante Bowe, fills my soul with wonder and peace. Thank you, Lord!