PSALM 138:7 – Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.”
Don’t we wish it were true? Don’t we desire that the opening of today’s scripture would read, “As I walk a life of no trouble instead of I walk in the midst of trouble?” Someday, friends, it will be so but that day is not today. There is no such thing as a trouble-free life. This side of heaven the words of Job are not just for our hearing and observation. We embrace them. We experience them and no one is immune – Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble (Job 14:1). So how do we cope with the inevitable troubles in life. Well, here are a couple of things for our help and encouragement.
First, believe this is the lot of every child of God. No, don’t just acknowledge the truth of life is full of troubles, but really believe it. I mean really really believe it. There is a difference between belief and true belief. I know that sounds strange but the true measurement of true belief is not in acknowledgement. It is in the fiery furnaces of testing. Want to know if we truly believe in Christ, His Word, and the certainty of trouble in this life? See how we react when trouble comes. And there are only two reactions: complaining of the trouble or submitting to God in the trouble. It is the latter that validates our faith. The Apostle Paul would tell us “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13). A contented life–in times of trouble and those short seasons of no trouble–is grounded in a heart of submission to the sovereign will of God that teaches us all things, even trouble, work for our good (Romans 8:28).
The second help and encouragement in times of trouble is to see what good work the trouble will do in us. Hard times are molding times. Difficult seasons are growing seasons. Ask God to help us to see beyond the painful feelings that come in times of trouble to the incredibly good spiritual work which will occur in the trouble. Ponder these words of the Apostle Paul as he outlines what is accomplished in troubled or suffering times in our lives – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us(Romans 5:1-5).
Yes, no such thing as a trouble-free life exists in this world, but don’t despair. Some of the best work God will do in us comes through trouble. Learn to submit to it and see how much we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
PRAYER: “Father, help me not be deceived to think my life should be trouble-free.”
QUOTE: “Trouble in this life is expected in this life so don’t be surprised when it comes.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim