Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses,
Which You swore to David in Your truth? (Psalm 89:49 NKJV)
Have you met Ethan the Ezrahite? He never became the subject of a Sunday school lesson, and children don’t sing songs about him in vacation Bible school. Even in my in-depth biblical studies, I only recently learned of Ethan.
He showed up in a search for passages about depression and anxiety. He almost made it into my book, but today, he receives some attention because he asked the same questions we ask.
Lord, where are your loving kindnesses? Ethan knew some things. He understood God’s covenant with David. He reminded God about His promise to establish David’s seed forever, but reality looked quite different.
In Psalm eighty-nine, Ethan praised God and recited His divine attributes and mighty works for almost thirty verses. In verse thirty, he recalled that Israel and her kings had a part to play in God’s covenant. They had to remain obedient, not forsaking God for idols. Perhaps Ethan didn’t understand that the final fulfillment of the Davidic covenant will come in the return of Jesus Christ.
Ethan seems confused by the current events which looked as if God had abandoned Israel. We look at our world during the past few years. We feared a virus which killed many. We locked ourselves away from others creating anxiety, loneliness, and despair. Depression and suicide have increased. We go shopping and see bare shelves and soaring inflation. We make less trips since gas prices are outrageous. Our most vulnerable, infants and the elderly, can’t afford nor find the necessities for life.
Has God judged America, a nation who calls murder a choice and perversion an alternative lifestyle? While I don’t know God’s thoughts, it seems likely we are no different than Ethan’s beloved Israel, and we are under God’s judgement.
Like Ethan, we may wonder, will God still remain faithful to His own people? How much will we have to endure? If you’ve thought or even asked these questions, don’t feel alone. It’s been asked over the centuries.
God allowed Israel’s enemy, Babylon, to take them captive and carry them to a foreign land. Where was Ethan’s good God in all this?
Ethan asks, “How long, Lord” (Ps. 89:46 NKJV).
Then he asks our focal verse. Does God still love us? Does He still care? What about us, Lord?
The Psalm ends with an abrupt, “Bless be the Lord.” (Ps. 89:52a). This verse was added later as the end to that section of the Psalms, so we’re left scratching our heads wondering if Ethan ever discovered his answers.
Let’s choose a better way to end the stories of our lives. Jesus never changes (Heb. 13:8). We know, despite the craziness of this world, God remains faithful to His children, in spite of the trials we might have to endure.
Friend, I encourage you today that despite what you see all around us, God remains faithful. Prior to pouring His most harsh wrath out on this world, He will remove us in the Rapture. This is not our home. Don’t give up. Brighter days are ahead.
Lord God, I cry out for help in a world gone mad. Remember me, Lord! You are the God of miracles. You will provide for me, and I thank You for that. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
How can you find ways to keep hope alive and prevent discouragement from taking over? Which Bible verses help in these times?
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Originally posted on May 23, 2022 @ 3:00 am