It Could Be Worse

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’” 

Deuteronomy 33:27 

No doubt you’ve heard the expression, “It could be worse.” Maybe that sounds like a cynical, too-easy reply to the hurts and troubles of the day. Perhaps. It also happens to be true. Things could be a great deal worse for all of us.  

Today’s Scripture reads, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” In spite of the dangers and heartbreak of this world, God is our refuge, shield, and protector. Often we don’t grasp what that means. If it weren’t for God’s grace preserving and protecting us, our rebellious planet—and us along with it—would have spun off into chaos eons ago. Were it not for God’s restraining hand, we would be inundated with a tsunami of violence, catastrophes, war, crime, and cruelty.  

It could be worse. Yes, and in God’s plan, it will be worse—right before the Lord Jesus returns and makes it so that everything everywhere will be much, much better.  

Father, thank You for Your restraining, protecting hand on my life. If it weren’t for You, I might have surrendered to bitterness and despair years ago. If it weren’t for You, all those “near misses”—in cars, airplanes, and dark places—might have turned out much differently. Praise You for Your strong arms, encircling and protecting me until You take me home.