This is why I wait upon you, expecting your breakthrough,
for your word brings me hope.
Psalm 130:5 (TPT)
With the state of the world, it’s hard to wrap our minds around the goodness of God and suffering around the globe. The next level is trying to understand God’s goodness in relation to our own hardships or those of our loved ones.
Context is key, and perspective is everything.
My life has been no walk in the park. I was born into hard circumstances. I was born into all manner of dysfunction and sinful living. I was neglected and abused. Trauma was my existence.
But God.
He came in as the rescuer that He is and rescued me. He didn’t rescue me from my circumstances as much as He rescued me within them. He saved my heart and soul and mind from the enemy. He saved me from myself. Where I am today is only because of His grace and mercy.
A friend recently told me that I had every reason to run from God, but I chose to run toward Him and let Him use my life for His glory. I cried tears of awe and gratitude. It was His goodness that drew me in when I was in college. It was His goodness that held me in hard times over the last two decades. It is His goodness that reminds me that He will continue to be faithful in the days ahead.
If I’m not vigilant, the noise and brokenness of this world can distract me from God’s character. My focus can easily become fixed on everything that’s wrong instead of the God that is right.
But there are a million and one ways that God displays His goodness. Psalm 130 highlights a few of them:
Lord, if you measured us and marked us with our sins,
who would ever have their prayers answered?
But your forgiving love is what makes you so
wonderful.
No wonder you are loved and worshiped!
Psalm 130:3-4 (TPT)
The very nature of God is holy and righteous, and He literally cannot be in the presence of sin. Then there’s us — fallen humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, it separated us from God’s presence, but it never separated us from His love. The amazing thing about God is that He had a contingency plan. He had Jesus. Before He laid the foundations of the world, He knew we would go astray. And He made a way for us to be restored back to relationship with Him.
He bows down low to hear our prayers. And He always answers, although it may not be in our timing or the answer we wanted. He extends mercy to sinners and those that are working out their salvation. He forgives and He forgets.
This is why I wait upon you, expecting your breakthrough,
for your word brings me hope.
Psalm 130:5 (TPT)
His faithfulness is just that — faithful. He is the God who doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His Word is flawless and speaks life to weary souls. It brings hope and breakthrough about the future. His kindness leads us to repentance, and His gentleness invites us to come boldly before His throne of grace. He would and did pay the highest price for our redemption.
When times get tough for me or for my community, I want to plant my feet firmly on the truth of God’s Word and what I have experienced of Him.
I have experienced nothing short of God’s unconditional love, extravagant grace, and unrelenting goodness. His goodness is real and steadfast. It’s for me. It’s for you. It’s for the world.
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. I can trust You because You never change. Thank You for that gift! Help me run to You instead of away from You when things get tough. Amen.
Leave a Comment
Patricia Raybon says
Amen, dear Karina. Thank you for your witness today. Our God is faithful. To Him be the glory!
Ruth Mills says
“He didn’t rescue me from my circumstances as much as He rescued me within them” What a powerful statement of our almighty good God! Thank you for sharing! Continued blessings to you.
Krista C. says
This was a wonderful reminder of what I tend to forget. We are covered & loved by a faithful Father. May I be mindful of that even during the hard stuff of life.
Maura Michael says
This is a good reminder to look for God working his glory and our salvation.
Madeline says
Did I ever need to read this today. It has been a horrendous past 6 weeks and yesterday just about pushed me over the edge. But, then I prayed to God and while all is not well, I know I can get through this. And I can accept that whatever happens, good or bad, God is there.
Angie h. Schulze says
Putting into writing the testings of your life and how God saw you through them all, God has used them as a great testimony and encouragement to me today. Indeed, our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is faithful and worthy of all praise forever and ever. Amen!
Shawna Moriarty says
My favorite so far. Spoke straight to my heart. Thank you for sharing.
Amy says
Karina,
I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this today. Thank you so much ❤️
Leutisha Stills says
I hope you don’t mind, but I used your post as my prayer during my quiet time today. I spoke it out loud and thanked God using the verbiage in your post. Praise God for leading you to write this post and encourage me and others.
Loretta says
All I can do is shout AMEN!!!!!!!
You expressed not only your life and experience but the same for many including myself.
In His eyes sin is sin. It is us who categorize sin as small to large or ginormous.
Praise Jesus that His blood set us free!!!
Gail Noe says
Awesome word. THANK YOU!!! I am learning to trust in a new level that I have never been before. So glad you received it early in life. Blessing, grace, truth and revelations of His love to you in abundance.
Beth Williams says
Karina,
I go to a Christian Church & we do communion each week. We have a communion meditation then pray, play soft music as we get the cup & bread. There have been many times I cried when I think what Jesus did for me. He left the splendor of Heaven to come down to broken Earth. He knew He had to die a horrible death on a cross. He was scourged, carried the cross & died a bloody death just for me. That alone awes me!! Then daily He forgives my sins & showers me with grace & mercy. I want to run towards Him fast. No one else can help me through trials like He can. I will be forever indebted to Him. As a great big thank you I volunteer with Loaves & Fishes food bank. Helping make take home meals or food boxes & even praying for those receiving the food. It is one way I can shine His love to others.
Blessings 🙂