One of the most vivid memories I have is the day of my young son's funeral. It is seared in my memory for all the reasons you would expect, but also for some you might not. At one point during the service, as we were led in praise and worship by my dear friends, the Spirit overwhelmed me in a way I cannot explain. I was so aware of His goodness and His abundant mercy in that moment. With my son lying in the casket a few feet away, I couldn't help but lift my hands in praise.

This week has spoken deeply of the reality and weight of grief. Today, grief finally finds its place; in worship.

Psalm 33 doesn't deny the chaos of the world, it doesn't even mention it really. It does point our hearts to something else, though. The Psalmist refuses rejoice, to sing praise, not because the circumstances are easy, but because the Lord reigns supreme.

Grief has a way of either collapsing your vision of God, or clarifying it. I can't tell you how many people I've encountered over the years who have never been able to move past one tragedy or another. I don't mean behaving as if it never happened, but whose view of God and His goodness fell apart at their feet it bitter tragedy.

Psalm 33 calls us to avert our gaze from the circumstances of our pain and lift our eyes to God; a God so majestic, He speaks and the Sun comes into existence. A God who watches and sees the events of the world below. A God who frustrates the plans of mere mortals. A God whose counsel continually and eternally stands.

The past few weeks we've learned that reality isn't random. The world isn't spinning out of control and isn't a cosmic accident. His counsel eternally stands, governing the events of the cosmos under His gracious and merciful rule.

I love what Psalm 33 says about human strength and power: armies do not save, horses do not rescue, and power isn't ultimate. This passage refuses to let us place our hope in the things of this world that appear to be strong and in control. How sad it is today to see so many faithful Christians placing their hope and trust in the earthly powers of this world, of this nation. They are all subject to the One true King ... our King.

Instead of trusting in the power of this world, Psalm 33 begs us to anchor our souls in the truth that "the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, those who depend on His faithful love." There's that phrase again, 'faithful love'. The same covenant mercy that kept the story of redemption moving in Genesis 6, the same Fatherly heart that spoke to Isaiah in his first chapter, the same 'hesed' in which David trusted in Psalm 13, the same compassion Jesus embodied in action.

Worship isn't a way to escape, worship is a way of alignment. It is an act of placing your heart and your will in full submission to the only true King. Especially when it looks as if, and our heart feels, that evil is winning.

Our response today to evil and pain isn't denial, cynicism, or numbness. It's worship. It's recognition that the counsel of the Lord stands and His plans are not thwarted!

Where have you been tempted to place your trust and confidence in "horses and chariots" or in human strength, strategy, and control? What would it look like today for you to depend on Him and His faithful love instead?

Father, you are a steady Rock! When everything around me is shaking, you stand firm. Your counsel stands forever, your heart and rule is unchanging. Teach me to worship You with steady confidence, not because I know and understand everything, but because I know and remember You and You alone are the Most High. I trust you, teach me to trust you more. In Jesus name, Amen.