Hope in God’s Goodness
TABITHA YATES, COMPEL Pro Member
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“I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (AMP)
There was a time when someone spoke Psalm 27:13 over me, praying “that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.” Not just someday in heaven. Not just once I was free from the pain of this world. Here. In the middle of the brokenness I was drowning in.
At the time, I couldn’t receive it. I couldn’t even imagine it. I believed in God’s goodness … for other people. For the ones whose prayers seemed to get answers, whose lives looked stitched together. But not for me. The absence of joy felt like a final verdict in my life, and all I could see was sorrow. Hopelessness kept me stuck, rooted in despair.
Hannah knew that kind of sorrow too. We see in 1 Samuel 1 how she longed for a child, but year after year, her womb remained closed. In her anguish, she poured out her soul before the Lord — weeping bitterly, praying silently. But Hannah kept showing up. She believed, even in her pain, that she would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And in time, she did. She gave birth to Samuel, who would become one of Israel’s greatest prophets.
In fact, Samuel anointed King David, whose words in Psalm 27 echo Hannah’s story. She could have let the silence of unanswered prayers convince her that God had forgotten her. But instead she clung to hope. And she witnessed God’s goodness.
Hope can feel fragile when life is loud with pain. Sometimes it seems safer to brace ourselves for disappointment than to believe God’s goodness might actually break through in our lifetime, in our story, in our ache.
Maybe, like me, you’ve found yourself in that gray space where it feels like hope has packed its bags and moved on without you. You still whisper prayers, or maybe even shout, but heaven seems to hold its breath. You hear others testifying to answered prayers and overflowing blessings, and you quietly wonder, What about me?
Psalm 27:13 offers a lifeline: “I would have despaired had I not believed …”
What did David believe? That goodness was coming. Not just in eternity but here. On this side of heaven. God is not done. This chapter isn’t the whole story.
It’s not easy to cling to hope sometimes. But even if you’re in a season of silence or sorrow, may this be a sacred moment of trust, an act of gentle defiance against despair. May you dare to believe, even with trembling hands, that goodness is still chasing you down. Even now. Especially now.
Lord, when my heart feels thin and hope feels far away, steady me again with the promise of Your goodness. Remind me, like You reminded Hannah, that You see every silent prayer and every hidden ache. Help me cling to You with quiet courage, believing I will see Your goodness. Lift my eyes, strengthen my spirit, and let hope rise again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Therapy & Theology with Lysa TerKeurst is a free resource offering conversations rooted in Scripture and therapeutic wisdom to help women navigate life’s hardest moments. It’s a place to slow down, breathe, and remember God has not forgotten you — no matter what you’re facing. Watch or listen to an episode of Therapy & Theology on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform!
ENGAGE
Today’s devotion comes from Tabitha Yates — part of our COMPEL Pro Writers Training community and one of our Encouragement for Today writing challenge winners. We’re so grateful for her voice and heart.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Romans 8:24-25, “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (ESV).
Think about a time when you kept showing up like Hannah, even when your prayers felt unanswered. What sustained you in that season, and how might remembering that persistence help you reframe your hope today? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Tabitha Yates. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Monday, 02 February 2026.
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