An Indonesian housewife was a victim of her husband’s rage and jealousy for over 20 years.  Her husband is in his 50s and worked as a security guard.  Except fetching her children to and from school, he disallows her from going anywhere else.  She was not even allowed to make friends.  He did not give her spending money and made her wear baggy clothings so as to conceal her figure.  He frequently accused her of having another man and beat her every day.

This is an extreme case of what happens when a person lacks a sense of security.  Perhaps the man is afraid that his wife would desert him and look for another man because he (the husband) belongs to a humble background.  On the one hand, I sympathize with the woman who was victimized for over 20 [!] years.  On the other hand, I also believe that the husband badly wants to have a fulfilling marriage, where he could live in joy with his wife and children.  I do pity the husband who is victimized by his inner fear over which he seems to have little control.  As Christians, we need not fear losing what is precious to us.

The psalmist David says: “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing . . . Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psa 16:2; 5-6).  The principles contained in this psalm are important.

First, any reasonable person agrees that what humans can do is very limited.  Too many things are beyond our control.  The jealous husband knows that the only way for his wife not to meet another man is to cut off all communication between her and the outside world.  That such a measure is impractical is obvious from the fact that it results in a consequence that he is trying to prevent: his family and his happiness are destroyed.  You can take all measures but you cannot ensure the desired outcome.  Hence, the psalmist wisely says: “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing . . . you make my lot secure” (Psa 16:2).  Only God who is almighty can ensure your well being.

Second, we may aim and work very hard to achieve something but sometimes things do not work out as planned.  Instead, what we dread happens.  But we thank God that God’s Word promises us: “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psa 16:5-6).  God will order things so that even the unfortunate events in life work to your advantage.  The apostle Paul says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).

What then must you do so that God will arrange events in life for you so that you get the best things?  We thank God for many modern day equipment.  A washing machine, for example, has made living easier.  But you must operate this machine according to the instructions in the manual.  In the same way, if you want God to arrange life events for you, which only He can, you must live life according to His way as recorded in the Bible.  Some things appear to be good, but if these things distant you from God, you can be sure that they will bring you harm sooner or later.  But if you obey Him even if it looks impossible, you can be sure you will obtain a “delightful inheritance” (Psa 16:6).  Trust God.  Obey God.