What are we to do?

In the long dark, we cannot see. Fog obscures the way ahead in a difficult situation. It’s complicated. A strange labyrinth of deceit. What are we to do?

We’ve prayed. For years. Crying out to the Lord our God. Pleading for the deceived to be set free. The broken healed.

Solutions offered but resisted. Denied. Every avenue tried, fruitless. 

What are we to do? 

“Humble yourselves, therefore…”

One morning in a week of facing this reality again, I read David’s simple song. Psalm 131. A song of ascents. 

“Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty” (131:1a CSB).

Pride is no small thing in the eyes of the Lord.  It’s divided my heart too many times to count through the years. So David’s prayer reminds me again of my position before the Almighty. The One who sees what we cannot see.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6 CSB).

Cast your cares upon Him

“I do not get involved with things too great or too wondrous for me” (131:1b CSB). 

These are things too complex for us to figure out. It’s exhausting to hit road blocks at every turn. What are we to do?

“Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like a weaned child” (131:2 CSB)

I cast these cares upon Him. Release these attempts to fix things that I don’t fully understand. 

I sit in His presence. 

Leaning, resting against Him. 

Reminding my soul that He knows the way through this fog. We do not.  

Simply trust

It’s simple, child-like trust. In a loving and compassionate and merciful heavenly Father.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB).

Trusting Him wholeheartedly. Not depending on our own ability to figure things out. Not even knowing if we will see answers.

But seeking to know Him in the midst of it all. And walking the path He sets before us.

What are we to do? We trust Him. He knows the way.

Hope in the Lord

“Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
both now and forever” (131:3 CSB).

What are we to do? We put our hope in the Lord. Today and tomorrow. And the next day. Forever. 

He is worthy.

Great is His faithfulness.

What about you?

Which Scripture passages help you walk through difficult situations that seem hopeless?

Related posts: “Teach me Your way, Lord…” ; On the way to thankfulness ; Unexpected altar