Anchored in Eternity
Hello Bride of Christ,
The Psalms lead us through despair, struggle, and suffering. But Book 4 brings good news—it shifts the tone and re-centers us on God's eternal nature, kingship, and sovereignty. As Robertson observes in The Flow of the Psalms, Book 4 reflects “a more mature perspective… fostered by stretching the people’s faith through their experience of the exile” (p. 147). With that in mind, I invite you to reflect this month on the question: Is the purpose of suffering to stir our longing for eternity?
In the Garden, Satan deceived Adam and Eve with the lie that God was withholding something (Genesis 3:5, NKJV). They took from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That act introduced the contrast—and with it, suffering. God does not allow suffering to help us appreciate eternity or to create a desire for it. It entered the world to reveal something more profound: our need for a relationship with an eternal God, always.
The writers of the Psalms offer deep insight into how suffering can lead to a life made whole—one lived in the light of this eternal relationship. Heman’s desperate cry in Psalm 88 captures the raw pain of affliction: “I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors, I am distraught” (Psalm 88:15, NKJV). His lament sets the stage for Ethan’s reflection in Psalm 89, which closes Book 3 with a shift in focus—from suffering to the enduring character of the Lord, whose faithfulness lasts for all eternity. Book 4 of the Psalms continues this thread by providing examples of life-giving gain from a fixation on God eternal:
Satisfaction with God’s mercy
“Oh satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” Psalm 90:14, NKJV
Moses walked through a wilderness of death and grief, which taught him to be content with God’s deep unmerited compassion.
Peace in chaos
“The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established so that it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.” Psalm 93:1-2, NKJV
The Psalmist declares God’s eternal reign and finds peace in God’s unshakeable control.
Hopeful living
“Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and heavens are the works of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.” Psalm 102: 25-27, NKJV
The Psalmist professes God’s unchanging nature and eternal existence. God does not change, so the Psalmist can confidently expect God to continue as He has always had from generation to generation.
True love
“As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.” Psalm 103: 15-17, NKJV
The Psalmist contrasts humanity's limitations with God’s unbounded mercy. Illustrating God’s deep compassion for His children and their children, constant from generation to generation, dependent on God’s character alone and not humanity's frailty.
Bride of Christ, is the purpose of suffering to stir our longing for eternity? Not by design—but in God’s mercy, it becomes the soil where eternal truths take root. As we’ve seen in the Psalms, suffering can realign our hearts, lifting our eyes beyond what fades to what endures. In our frailty, we encounter His mercy. In our chaos, we behold His peace. In our fleeting days, we cling to His everlasting love. So let us not waste our suffering. Let it teach us to number our days, to seek what is eternal, and to worship the One whose throne is established forever. Satisfaction. Peace. Hope. Love. These are not fleeting comforts—they are the fruits of living with the presence of the Eternal One in our hearts.
August Journal Prompts
The following prompts are designed for prayer-filled reflection and exploration throughout the month.
Prompt 1: “Where in my current season of life do I need to shift my focus from what is temporary to what is eternal?”
Reflect on any areas where anxiety, distraction, or discouragement have taken root. How can anchoring your heart in God’s eternal nature—His mercy, sovereignty, or unchanging love—reshape your outlook and priorities?
Prompt 2: “How has suffering in my life revealed my need for a deeper relationship with God—and how is He using it to draw me closer to Himself?”
Think about a painful experience or time of uncertainty. How did God meet you there? What eternal truths came into clearer focus because of that season?
