I believed, even when I said,
“I am severely oppressed.”
In my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.” Psalm 116:10-11
The fight of my life is the fight for joy. I want to know, alongside the apostle Paul, the “secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need” (Philippians 4:12). O Lord, give me the kind of lasting happiness that doesn’t depend on circumstances. Indeed, my circumstances lie to me nearly every moment of every day. They tell me, “This problem is overwhelming. You’re going to fail. You’re bound to disappoint people who love you. You’re right to be angry”—as if our sovereign God hasn’t promised to work for my best interest (and yours) in every circumstance.
Lacking God’s eternal vantage point, I often shouldn’t trust my senses or my reason (“lean not unto thine own understanding,” Proverbs 3:5).
But let me believe, Lord, even as I say, “I am severely oppressed.” Inasmuch as “everyone” tempts me to doubt the goodness of your plan for my life, let me say, with the psalmist, “Everyone is a liar.” Your word is true. #HeReadsTruthBible #ChristianStandardBible #CSB