Live Your Faith Even When You Know Bad Things Will Come (Zephaniah Revisited)

21 February, 202624 February, 2026Marissa

I wrote about Zephaniah in my 2015 Lessons from the Minor Prophets series, but when I reread that post recently it didn’t really dig into the book of Zephaniah as much as I wanted. I’ve been picking a passage of scripture each week to read with my toddler, and a couple weeks ago it was Zephaniah 3:16-17. My toddler loves music, and I thought she might connect with a passage about God singing much like she has connected with passages like Psalm 23 and John 10 since she likes sheep. That made me want to revisit Zephaniah.

Christians often talk about the Bible as a living book. The words in it don’t change and new information isn’t being added to it anymore, yet it always seems like there is something more to discover when you revisit the text. Last time I wrote about Zephaniah, I focused on the message not to fear. This time, I noticed something connected but different.

Knowing Bad Things Will Come

Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah (Zeph. 1:1), one of Judah’s righteous kings, but his book is mostly focused on future judgement. Josiah “did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2, WEB). He repented when he read God’s law and took steps to remove paganism from Judah, but that didn’t stop God’s plan to judge His people for their sins. You can read all about this in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35, but let’s look at a few key passages.

When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her. She said to them, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, “Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’” But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, tell him, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard,because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you,’ says Yahweh. ‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” So they brought this message back to the king.
1 Kings 22:11-20, WEB

Josiah received the message from God through Huldah that he couldn’t do anything that would make God relent of His anger. The only thing God promised was to let Josiah enjoy peace during his lifetime because of his humble and repentant heart. It is after this that Josiah institutes wide reforms in Israel. He gathered his people to witness him make a covenant to follow God. He demolished locations of pagan worship and executed pagan priests. He ordered all his people to keep the Passover to honor God.

There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him. Notwithstanding, Yahweh didn’t turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocation with which Manasseh had provoked him. Yahweh said, “I will also remove Judah out of my sight, as I have removed Israel; and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’”
2 Kings 23:25-27, WEB

I think it’s fascinating that Josiah did righteous things on a nation-wide scale and committed himself to keeping covenant with God even though he knew that his righteousness wasn’t going to turn God’s wrath away from his country. Josiah didn’t do all of this because he thought it would change God’s mind about punishing Judah (at least, there’s no indication of that in the text). He did it because it was the right thing to do even though his righteousness and the actions he took as the nation’s leader would not be enough to stop God from pouring wrath out on the people. There’s a lesson in that for us today. As we draw closer to the time of Jesus’s return, praying for people in the increasingly ungodly world or trying to make things better might seem a hopeless task, and yet it is still something we ought to do (see 1 Tim. 2:1-8).

Image of a man reading the Bible with text from Zeph. 3:14, 15, 17, NET version: “Shout for joy, Daughter Zion!
Shout out, Israel! ...
Israel’s king, the Lord, is in your midst!
You no longer need to fear disaster.
The Lord your God is in your midst;
he is a warrior who can deliver. ...
He takes great delight in you;
he renews you by his love;
he shouts for joy over you.” — Image by Anggie from Lightstock

A Day of Darkness

It’s often hard when reading books of Old Testament prophecy to separate what has already happened from what is still in the future. There are even some dual applications of prophecies, where the prophecy applied to something that happened with ancient Israel and to something that has happened or will happened during the New Testament church era. Even when the prophecy was directed at ancient Israel specifically, though, we can still learn from what happened and extract lessons for today (see 1 Cor 10:1-11). Revelation and prophecies in the gospels tell us the time before Jesus’s return will involve judgement from God on the earth and outpouring of His wrath, much like God told Zephaniah about. Josiah’s rule was followed by the fall of Judah and Babylonian captivity for ancient Israel. Zephaniah’s prophecies clearly reference that, but some sections also sound more like Revelation and a time that is still to come.

The great day of Yahweh is near. It is near and hurries greatly, the voice of the day of Yahweh. The mighty man cries there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high battlements. I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against Yahweh. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
…
“Therefore wait for me”, says Yahweh, “until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.”
Zephaniah 1:14-17; 3:8 WEB

As much as we all look forward to the time of Jesus’s return, the resurrection from the dead, and the transformation of His faithful followers to become like Him, the path to get there is going to be hard. Amos wrote, “Woe to those who wish for the day of the Lord! Why do you want the Lord’s day of judgment to come? It will bring darkness, not light” (Amos 5:18, NET). We must pray “may your kingdom come” while also knowing that there will be hard times before “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15, NET). Like King Josiah, we need to choose to live good lives today even knowing that God’s wrath is coming.

Rejoice With Singing

Image of a woman studying the Bible, overlaid with blog's title text and the words, "Josiah was one of ancient Judah's most righteous kings, yet prophecies foretold God's wrath would still descend on the people. Even knowing that bad things were coming, Josiah committed himself to living righteously and doing good in his nation, and we can learn from that example today." — Image by MarrCreative from Lightstock

Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, you nation that has no shame, before the appointed time when the day passes as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Yahweh comes on you, before the day of Yahweh’s anger comes on you. Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:1-3, WEB

Even in the midst of great calamity, God always offers a lifeline of hope. Josiah’s righteous actions and heartfelt commitment to God delayed God’s wrath until after his lifetime. People after him were told that if they seek God, righteousness, and humility and keep His ordinances they may be hidden in the day of His anger. It’s similar to what Jesus told people when speaking of the time before His return: “be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36, WEB). And even if we don’t escape the bad experiences, we can still look forward to glorious joy on the other side.

Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem. Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has thrown out your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you. You will not be afraid of evil any more. In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion. Don’t let your hands be weak.” Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing. … At that time I will bring you in, and at that time I will gather you; for I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says Yahweh.
Zephaniah 3:14-17, 20, WEB

This imagery is incredible, and a stark contrast to the burning wrath earlier. It’s a hopeful, encouraging passage that talks about God’s future with His people where they will sing, be glad, and rejoice with no reason for fear. I also love the details about God’s feelings toward His people, especially that “He will rejoice over you with singing.” I usually think about angels and people singing praises to God, not about God Himself singing. It’s amazing to think that we are the reason He breaks out into joyful song (or joyful shouts, depending on the translation). At this time, God will be with us, and He is mighty to save. We’re already seeing fulfillment of that now, with the Father and Jesus dwelling in us and accomplishing our salvation (John 14:18-20; 15:4-5; 17:20-23).

Josiah was one of ancient Judah’s most righteous kings, yet Huldah’s and Zephaniah’s prophecies foretold God’s wrath would still descend on the people. Even knowing that bad things were coming, Josiah committed himself to living righteously and doing good in his nation. We can learn from that example today and also from the hopeful message at the end of Zephaniah’s book. Knowing that God loves us and protects us, we can be calm and unafraid as we work to live righteous lives even when we’re going through trials at the moment.

Featured image by Corey David Robinson from Lightstock

Song Recommendation: “Even If” by MercyMe

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Don’t Be Surprised

11 January, 202510 January, 2025Marissa

One of the big lessons we can learn from the Bible is that God wants us to be prepared. There are a lot of warnings in the Bible, and we’re told many things in advance so we won’t be surprised. There are also many examples we can look at, particularly things that happened to Jesus Christ, that give us hints about what we might go through.

Following Jesus in Everything

Writing about Jesus, the author of Hebrews said, “he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17, WEB). He became like us, and we’re supposed to become like Him. If Jesus did something, then we shouldn’t be surprised that we’re supposed to do that as well.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you. I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
John 13:14-17, NET

We’re supposed to follow Jesus’s example. We’re even supposed to become perfect just like God the Father is perfect (Matt. 5:43-48). We can also expect that many of the things Jesus experienced will be things we go through as well. He took part in flesh and blood like us, He was tempted just like us (though He never sinned), and He learned humility and obedience just like we have to (Heb. 2:14; 4:15; 5:8; Phil. 2:5-8). If something happened to Him, we shouldn’t be surprised that it happens to us.

“Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too.”
John 15:20, NET

We might marvel when we look at how the disciples handled persecution in the book of Acts. They even rejoiced “because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name” (Acts 5:41, NET). They’d seen Jesus persecuted and they knew that they shouldn’t expect to be treated better than their master. He put up with unjust persecution for following His father, and so they put up with unjust persecution for following Him. It’s part of following His example.

Image of foggy mountains overlaid with text from 2 Peter 3:1-2, NET version: "Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder: I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles." — Image by yamabon from Pixabay

Expecting Tough Times

We get to see how the disciples handled the truth of Jesus’s statement that, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” in the book of Acts. We also get to read about Peter’s take on this topic in his first epistle, where he applied Jesus’s words to the whole church body of believers (and expanded it to include other types of suffering as well).

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.
1 Peter 4:12-13, NET

Often when something bad–or even just inconvenient–happens to us, our human reaction is to bemoan, “Why me?” Peter thinks we shouldn’t be surprised by tough things, even if it’s something that could be categorized as “a trial by fire.” It isn’t strange, it’s just part of life as followers of Jesus. Our Messiah suffered persecution, so why shouldn’t we? He was tempted and tried (see Matt. 4:1-11), so why wouldn’t we be? That doesn’t make it easy, but it is expected.

We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, NET

Like the people of Thessalonica, we’ve been given warnings that life will be hard sometimes. We read the Bible and listen to sermons, and we know that following God doesn’t exempt us from facing trials (though He does promise to work all things out for good in the end and give us a way to endure trials [Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13]). That doesn’t always stick in our heads, though, when bad things happen. That’s one reason it’s so important to be connected with Messiah’s community–so people can check on and encourage you just like Paul did for the Thessalonians.

For this is the gospel message that you have heard from the beginning: that we should love one another,not like Cain who was of the evil one and brutally murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous. Therefore do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
1 John 3:11-13, NET

John spends a lot of this epistle talking about how God loves us and our duty to love Him and each other. He also points out that when we love in a Godly way, it’s a radical departure from how the world lives. We’re supposed to love our fellow Christians–everyone who is fathered by God, practices righteousness, and is growing toward perfection (1 John 3:1-16). In contrast, many people in the world hate those whose deeds are righteous (John 3:19-20;15:18-19). That shouldn’t surprise us–it’s been that way since Cain and Able.

Other Warnings

Image of a person standing at the edge of a pond looking at a tall mountain, overlaid with blog's title text and the words, "God gives us many insights into how the world works, what we can expect, and what we're looking forward to so that we can develop a deep, strong faith and trust in Him." — image by chriszwettler from Pixabay

I didn’t plan on this blog post to focus so much on persecution and trials, but when you start studying warnings that’s a main theme that pops out. I suspect it’s because God and the Biblical writers know that the hardships we encounter can keep us from enduring unless we develop a strong root system of faith (see Mark 4:1-20). There are other warnings, though, and cautions so that we’re not surprised.

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Remember, I have told you ahead of time.”
Matthew 24:24-25, NET

God tells us a lot about the future. We don’t know when the end time events that He prophesied are going to happen (Acts 1:6-7), but Jesus gave us plenty of warnings about what those times will be like and how we’re supposed to guard ourselves as we get closer to the time of his return (Matt. 24-25, and many other prophecies). He told us these things before they happened so that we won’t be misled (Matt. 24:4-5), alarmed (Matt. 24:6), deceived (Matt. 24:24), unprepared (Matt. 24:42-44; 25:1-13), or shirking our duties (Matt. 24:45-51; 25:14-46).

God doesn’t tell us exactly what’s going to happen or when in our lives, but He doesn’t leave us in the dark about his overarching plan. We won’t know the specifics of trials we face before they happen, but He warns us they will happen and promises He’ll be there through them. He wants us to join His family, and sets us up for success.

“You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”
John 14:28-29

When we see God follow through on His promises, it strengthens our faith. He’s given us many insights into how the world works, what we can expect, and what we’re looking forward to so that we can develop a deep, strong faith and trust in Him. We can have confidence and peace, knowing that God has already assured us of His good plans and purposes related to us and the world. We can also trust Him through trials, knowing we’ve been warned of them in advance and having the perspective that God will use them to refine us and that He’ll be with us no matter what comes.

Featured image by Pexels from Pixabay

Song Recommendation: “Sparrows” by Jason Gray

Still Struggling Even When Life Is Good? It’s Not Just You

7 July, 20217 July, 2021Marissa

Do you ever feel like everything’s going really, really well in all the parts of your life except inside your head? That’s where I’ve been at for a while now. I started grad school and that’s going really well. I’m teaching and tutoring a wide range of ages and subjects and that’s going really well. I have great relationships with my parents and siblings, I’m getting a new sister next year when my brother gets married, and I have a stable, supportive church family. It’s all fantastic. This is probably the best my life has ever been.

And yet, I keep finding myself sinking into depression and struggling with anxiety. What if all this goes away? Going to grad school was always my back-up plan and if that doesn’t work I don’t have anything in mind to fall back on. I look at what’s going on in the world today, and I don’t really have a lot of confidence that society’s going to remain stable. I tell myself that I’m okay with being 32 and single–that I’m not sure I even want a relationship at this point–but then I feel like I might be lying to myself. So I start worrying, and then I feel guilty for worrying, and then I worry about how my glumness is affecting the people around me. And when people who care about me notice there’s something wrong I struggle to tell them what’s wrong because there’s no good reason for all this worry.

This post isn’t just about me sharing my struggles, though. I’m going to be okay–I’m seeing a counselor again a couple times a month to help get myself back on track with my mental health. My reason for writing today is to get us thinking about how to work through the guilt, shame, and disconnected feeling that can go along with having mental health struggles when everything in life seems to be going well. I often hear people talk about how it’s normal to struggle with depression and anxiety when things in your life aren’t good, or recommendations to focus on the positive and get engaged with your life so those feelings will go away on their own. But what if things are already good, and you are engaged with all the positive things in your life, and you still struggle? That can be “normal” too. Not normal in the sense that it’s a good thing to stay there, but normal in the sense that there are lots of other people struggling with it as well.

Fighting the Battles in our Heads

Some time ago, I wrote a post called “Fighting Something You Can’t See.” I’ve been thinking about that idea recently, and I just went back and read what I wrote three years ago. Near the end of that post, I said, “It’s so hard for me to turn anxiety over to God. In a way, letting go of the thoughts demanding constant attention doesn’t seem safe. … [but] God doesn’t want us to cower in the face of attacks inside our minds. He wants to help us fight back. Casting our anxieties on God frees us to let Him help us fight the real battle behind all the other struggles we face.” Past-me had some wise advice, and I think I need to tell myself this once again.

This idea that God wants us to keep trusting Him during the tough times is also something I’ve been studying recently, sort of by accident. It came up when I was reading Peter’s letters as part of studying for the next post in my new series on the general epistles (you can read my post on James here). Peter spends a lot of time, especially in his first letter, reminding people that confronting trials is a normal part of being a Christian and that the source of those is the adversary, the devil who stalks about like a lion seeing to devour God’s people. Peter is also very clear that, with God’s help, we can resist this adversary.

And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11, NET

May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!
I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:2-3, NET

God gives us tools for success. He does not promise we won’t face trials or that we will not need to fight battles. Rather, He says He’ll be with us through those things. James and Peter even agree that we can have joy during the challenges and trials we face. That joy comes from us having faith faith and hope that provide context for understanding what we’re going through (James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:3-9).

Practical Steps We Can Take

It’s all very well to talk about having faith, hope, and joy when we face trials and using the tools God gives us, but how does that work in real life? As I think most Christians who struggle with mental health issues can attest, it’s not like we haven’t tried praying about these things. We know we’re supposed to turn things over to God and stop worrying, but if you’re like me you’re not really sure how to do that.

I’m going to share a few tips now for practical steps that we can take. Some of these work for me already, while others are recommendations that others have shared and which I’m working on trying out. It’s not an exhaustive list, and since we’re all so different they won’t all work for everyone. I hope, though, that you’ll find something here that’s helpful for you or which sparks an idea of something that might help.

Practice mindfulness. My dad, sister, and counselor have all stressed this to me recently. It’s not a good idea to live in the fearful “what ifs” of the future. They might not happen at all, and we don’t really have control over them anyways. As Jesus says, “So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34, NET). Being mindful of the present is a conscious choice/effort. It’s part of taking “every thought captive to make it obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5, NET).
Keep the context in mind. When we’re struggling with something inside our minds, we need to remember that we’re not alone and that this is a very real fight. Paul counsels us to remember that “though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds,” including ones inside our own minds (2 Cor. 10:1-5, NET). When you feel like your mind’s under attack or like you’re fighting against something, you’re not going crazy. We are fighting in spiritual battles, and we are not doing it alone. Remind yourself of this, and go to God in prayer. Ask Him to keep His promise to fight alongside you.
Sing and praise. One way to counter the dark things inside our minds is to speak light out of our mouths. Did Paul and Silas sing in prison because they were so happy to be there, or because they knew that praise would connect them with God, who is the source of the strength and joy they’d need to get through this? (Acts 16:24-26). I’m not sure, but I’m starting to suspect that it’s not very helpful to try and muster up joy silently when we’re struggling. We need to speak/sing to God whether we feel like it or not, and then the joy may follow that. I know I tend to feel better when I sing and listen to Christian music, but I’ve gotten away from that recently. Today as I write this, I’m listening to a lot of Jean Watson and I find that music very uplifting. I also find Jason Gray’s “Sparrows” very fitting for how I feel right now.
Talk with someone. I know it’s tempting to keep everything to yourself and not let people know how much you’re struggling. But the people who love you would rather have you let them know what’s going on and how they can help and support you than to have you struggle on your own. And if you don’t have anyone you can talk with (or even if you do have someone but your struggles are still having a negative impact on your life), I highly encourage you to seek professional counseling. Click here to start searching for therapists in your area.

Those are the four things I’m using right now to try and work through the anxiety and depression that I’ve been dealing with recently. I’d love to hear from anyone else who wants to share their experiences in the comments or who has advice for others going through similar things. What tips do you have for maintaining a focus on God and holding on to joy during times of inner struggle?

Featured image by StockSnap from Pixabay

When You’re Crushed Like Dust

13 April, 201912 April, 2019Marissa

Have you ever felt like your spirit is crushed and your heart broken? Like you’ve been pounded into dust or smashed to smithereens?

Those are the definitions for the Hebrew words shabar (H7665, broken) and dakka (H1793, crushed). I bring them up because I want to talk about this verse from Psalms:

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. (Psalm 34:18, WEB)

When you’re ground down like dust and broken into pieces, God is there beside you. We often want Him to prevent or remove bad things but it seems that in most cases His preference is to walk with us through hardship rather than stop it from ever happening. We are promised deliverance, but in His timing, not ours.

Suffering and Deliverance

Let’s read some of the context for this verse (you can click here to read the whole Psalm).

The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:17-19, WEB)

It’s clear from this psalm that righteousness doesn’t exempt us from bad situations. In fact, “many are the afflictions of the righteous” and they have to cry to Yahweh for deliverance. That holds true for believers throughout the ages.

I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Tim. 3:11-12, WEB)

Here’s Paul, centuries after David, expressing the same truths. Those who follow God must expect to endure afflictions and persecutions, but they can also expect deliverance. Read more →

When God Gives You Something You Can’t Handle

14 July, 201825 June, 2021Marissa

Have you ever heard a Christian say that God won’t give you something you can’t handle? It’s a nice, cozy idea in theory but it quickly clashes with real life.

What about my two Christian friends who committed suicide? Should they have been able to “handle” it according to this reasoning? And what about all the families I know who are reeling in the wake of unanswered prayers for a child who died? Are they being punished because God knows they can “handle” such a tragic trial? Or what about my personal battle with anxiety and depression? Am I failing to “handle it” when I turn to a counselor for help?

While the idea that God won’t give you more than you can handle is taken from a scripture (1 Cor. 10:13), that’s not what that scripture actually says. Church people have twisted this verse into a feel-good platitude when there’s a lot more going on.

A Promise For Help And Protection

When God Gives You Something You Can't Handle | LikeAnAnchor.com — Photo credit: Jantanee via Lightstock

In this part of 1 Corinthians, Paul is talking about what we can learn from Israel’s history. He talks about how Christ interacted with the ancient Israelites, the ways they displeased and tempted God, and the punishments they received (1 Cor. 10:1-10). Then he writes,

Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Cor. 10:11-14, WEB)

The Greek word translated “temptation” is peirasmos (G3986). It means a trial or “putting to the test” of a person’s character. When used of God, it means proving someone by bringing them “through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove their faith and confidence in Him.” When used of the devil, it means he’s soliciting someone to sin for the purpose of making them fall (Zodhiates’ Complete WordStudy Dictionary of the NT).

In context, the verse we’re talking about isn’t a promise that God won’t give you more than you can handle on your own. It’s a promise that He won’t let you be in a situation where your fall into sin becomes inevitable. He never sets us up to fail.

In The Secret Place: The Promises of Psalm 91

19 August, 201718 August, 2017Marissa

Last week we talked about claiming promises from God. But we didn’t talk about the verses that got me started on that study. Psalm 91 is packed full of promises that are clearly meant to include the reader. There isn’t even a writer credited, so there’s no clear historical context, and the psalm is addressed to all who make the Lord their God. There’s nothing to distract from the fact that this psalm was written for everyone who’s in a relationship with God, including you as a Christian today.

Claiming Relationship With God

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” (Ps. 91:1-2, WEB)

The psalm begins with a promise to those who remain, inhabit, and abide (H3427, yashab) in the hiding place or shelter (H5643 sether) of the Most High God. They will “stay permanently” (Strong’s H3885 lun) in the shadowing protection (H6738 tsel) of El Shaddai.

Because of that promise, we get the only “I” statement from this psalm’s writer. They claim the Lord as “my God” and say they will have confidence in Him (H982 baach). And they demonstrate that trust by making Him their refuge, shelter (H4268 machaseh) and defensive stronghold (H4684 matsud). That’s something we can do as well.

Stripping Fear of Power

This psalm contains truly incredible promises of protection in the midst of trials. We’d probably prefer it if God’s protection meant we didn’t have to go through trials. But to be delivered “from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence,” there must be someone trying to trap you or a pestilence threatening your life (Ps. 91:3, WEB). And if “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand,” then you must be in a location where people are perishing right and left (Ps. 91:7, KJV). Read more →