The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. Psalm 34:15

 

A distraught woman went to her pastors for counseling because it was terrible at home. But they didn’t believe her.

 

The pastors’ ears were closed to the hurting woman, but God’s were open. Scripture declares that “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help” (Psalm 34:15). Throughout history, humans have represented God badly– He does use men and women as His spokespeople, but not every person who claims to represent God should be listened to.

 

Perhaps you’ve been hurt by church people. Jesus saw it and called out the religious leaders of His day who told people how they had to live but didn’t do it themselves. Jesus said, “They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden” (Matthew 23:4).

 

It might be understandable to give up on God when you see Him represented like this. The abused woman said, “I hit subzero spiritually. I was doubting if God is real.”[1] God is real and this is what He says about those who hurt others spiritually: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these…to stumble” (Luke 17:1-2 NIV).

 

Scripture says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18). You can go straight to Jesus with the pain others have caused you.

 

[1] Shellnutt, Kate. “Grace Community Church Rejected Elder’s Calls to ‘Do Justice’ in Abuse Case.” News & Reporting, Christianity Today, 9 Feb. 2023, www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/february/grace-community-church-elder-biblical-counseling-abuse.html.