Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
Psalms 22:3 NIV
Imagine David facing a seemingly hopeless situation, as described in the first verses of this psalm. He cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalms 22:1). Yet, amidst this darkness, David bursts forth with renewed hope. He doesn’t lose sight of who God truly is: the Holy One, worthy of praise.
This invites us to consider our own responses to challenges. Do they redefine who God is to us? How do we react when difficulties arise, when it feels like God is distant? Perhaps you’ve been praying for something for a long time with no answer. Do you dethrone God from His rightful place in your heart simply because your prayers haven’t been answered yet?
David, even in his despair, affirms God’s holiness. He doesn’t say, “If you won’t answer my prayers, you’re not holy anymore.” Many of us, however, are tempted to do just that. We withdraw praise and worship from God when He doesn’t work according to our timeline.
David reminds us: Is God still king in your life? Does this seemingly hopeless situation cause you to lose hope and seek solutions elsewhere? Do you abandon Him for a source of hope that doesn’t exist?
Here’s the truth: God never loses hope. He doesn’t withdraw His love from us. He doesn’t place us in situations where hoping in Him is impossible. We are the ones who choose when to place our hope in Him. We are the ones who withdraw from Him.
When we label a situation as hopeless, it’s not because God lacks the power to change it. It’s because we’ve given up hope. In this scripture, David doesn’t give up. He may not see the solution yet, but that doesn’t change who God is. So, when we call a situation hopeless, it reflects our fading hope, not God’s diminished power.
What are you going through today? Are you facing challenges that seem like a valley of death? Perhaps they’re simply a shadow of death, not the real thing. Have you redefined your situation as hopeless without seeking God’s perspective?
Let’s respond like David. Let’s call out to God and say, “Yes, Lord, even though I haven’t seen the breakthrough yet, I know you haven’t forsaken me. Though it seems You’re distant, I believe You’re near. Though I haven’t received an answer, I know You hear me. And though I haven’t seen the solution, you are still holy. You haven’t abandoned me, and I won’t abandon You.”
Acknowledge God’s holiness, even when your situation seems hopeless. He is still on the throne, worthy of your praise. Don’t demote Him in your heart. He deserves to be king, and you miss out on His blessings when you try to replace Him. God deserves your worship, not because of what he gives you, but because of who he is.