God Sees. God Reigns. God Redeems.
What Psalm 33 Teaches Us About Why Suffering Doesn’t Cancel God’s Goodness—It Reveals It
Psalm 33:13–14, 18 (ESV)
“The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth…
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love.”
Big picture for the original audience:
Yahweh sees all. Yahweh rules all. And Yahweh guards those who trust Him—even when it feels like you’re on the edge. This was a powerful reminder of love from the one True God in a world full of absent gods.
What this reveals to us:
God sees everything.
He is enthroned, ruling above all.
His eye is on those who fear Him (not as a judgmental observer, but as a loving Father).
He draws near to those who hope in His steadfast love.
These are hard points to reconcile when your life has been full of great suffering. So let’s dive into how you reconcile this while suffering.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Let this settle in your soul:
God doesn’t promise a life free from pain—but a purpose in the pain, a redemption of every thread, and an eternal good that outshines all temporary grief.
But what about those who carry the earth to the grave?
Yes—some people suffer deeply.
And from our limited, ground-level view, it feels like they don’t get relief before they die.
We see it in:
Job — who suffered terribly before his restoration, though not everyone sees that kind of resolution.
The prophets — many were rejected or killed and never saw the fruit of their obedience (see Hebrews 11).
Jesus — the perfect Son of God was “a man of sorrows.” His path didn’t detour around the grave—it went through it.
So what gives?
Does this contradict Psalm 33 or Romans 8?
No. Here’s why:
God’s watching isn’t passive. It’s protective, purposeful, and eternal.
He sees from heaven, but with hands ready to redeem.Romans 8:28 never promised that “good” meant easy.
It means eternal good, soul-deep transformation, and a glory that outweighs all suffering (see Romans 8:18).
God isn’t working just for our comfort. He’s working for our crown.
So what does this mean for us? 🙋♂️
You may ask:
“If God is watching… why do some still suffer to the grave?”
Because we live in a broken world—but not without hope.
For those who love God:
He repurposes every pain.
He never wastes a wound.
He’s always working, even when it looks like He’s silent.
And yes, sometimes He allows the burden to last until the grave—not to defeat us, but to raise us in glory.
What looks like a tombstone on earth is a launchpad in heaven.
Never Finished Challenge - Remember
Write down the name of someone who suffered faithfully.
Maybe it’s your mom. Maybe a missionary. Maybe a neighbor no one ever noticed.
Then declare:
“Their story didn’t end in the grave. And mine won’t either.”
📖 Romans 8:18
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
You’re not carrying the world.
You’re carrying the cross. And resurrection is coming. 🌅
What Does Today Say About God?
As I wrote this Substack, I listened to the worship song “Build My Life” by Housefires. The lyrics echoed through my soul:
“I will build my life upon Your love—
it is a firm foundation.
I will put my trust in You alone,
and I will not be shaken.”
That’s what Psalm 33 reminded me of today.
We are intimately watched, deeply loved, and carefully shaped by the hands of a loving King—a Father who desires for His sons and daughters to become more than they were yesterday. More than they were an hour ago.
He calls us to be like His Son: holy, righteous, and set apart.
And while we don’t yet experience complete perfection on this side of eternity,
we are being transformed daily—step by step—into the image of Jesus.
Every moment with Him moves us closer.
There is no greater foundation to stand on.
What a Father.
What a King.
What a Friend.
Thank You, Jesus! 🙌🔥👑