“The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.“
Psalm 33:10-11
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If there’s one thing I cannot relate to, it’s people who enjoy watching the news. While I understand the desire to stay informed and have no intention of living with my head buried in the sand, tuning into the news is not my ideal way to start a morning or unwind after a long day. More often than not, watching the news leaves me feeling stressed out and sad.
It’s hard not to feel anxious when we watch or read about the latest shooting, looming threat, atrocity of war, or bickering among politicians. The problems in this world feel far too massive and deeply rooted for anyone to successfully take on. When faced with daily tragedies, hatred, division, and uncertainty, it’s easy to slip into feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.
We need to fix our focus not on the chaos of the world but on the all-powerful God who reigns sovereign. As Psalm 33:10-11 reminds us, “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” This passage reminds us that it doesn’t matter how formidable any of us—even an entire nation!—might be. All are powerless against God! His plans will stand firm, His purposes will reign victorious.
This awe-inspiring fact should bring us peace and encourage us to actively respond to the turmoil around us. We might feel small and insignificant, but God isn’t. Even when we cannot understand why awful or frightening things are happening, we can stand firm on the truth that our good God is at work, and join Him in His mission of restoring this broken world.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What is your initial response when confronted with tragedy and chaos in the world?
- Why is it so easy to feel frightened or discouraged?
- How does reflecting on God’s sovereignty make a difference?
Church Reading Plan: Isaiah 49; Revelation 19