When trouble comes
A few years’ back my husband and I had the unpleasant sensation of a driver ramming us from behind while we were stopped for a light. Life happens like that… Surprise, you have a melanoma to deal with. Surprise, your heart needs some stents. Surprise, your adult child loses his job. Surprise, your insurance won’t cover those repairs. The longer we’re here on this earth, the more of those experiences we’ll weather. When crisis comes, the enemy wants to strike fear in our hearts; he wants us to feel bewilderment because of the trial itself. The enemy wants us to look downward at the circumstances, at man’s inadequate methods, at failures, betrayals, or losses. BUT we have the Word to fight with! The Word is the best cure for dismay and discombobulation!
Early, early in my granddaughter’s pre-school training, her teacher drilled Psalm 56:3, 4 into her little psyche. It says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee (KJV).” Hearing her precious little voice say that over and over was a comfort to me as much as it was to her. She spoke these words at night in her bed when she didn’t want to be tucked in alone. Psalm 16 speaks to me in the same way when the circumstances of a new trial taunt me to lose faith in my Father’s love. In the quiet sleepless hours, the Word reassures…
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure,
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places,
Surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken (Psalm 16:5-8 NIV).
I think of the Lord fondly preparing a place setting for me at His table. I get an invitation and I am served. Just as I prepare so many times for my own family to come and sit down to eat and chat, He longs for me to do that as well. Just as I lay a birthday card and a gift by my child’s place setting, my father prepares the deeds and boundaries of my inheritance in His riches. And the inheritance has already been revealed! He speaks to me in the dark, doubt-riddled nights and reminds me He is there. His presence on my right hand signifies His authority and skill to deal with my situation in the right way at the right time. His presence at my right hand is like His hand on my elbow as I step ahead into undiscovered territory. Each new challenge is another opportunity to prove my confidence in His plan and another chance to assert new faith. When Jesus discussed the scattering and fear that would come after the crucifixion with his disciples, he said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). When you have trouble, it’s nothing He hasn’t made provision for. He wants you to “take heart”. He knows. He cares. He’s working.
Oh Lord, help us to trust you with every new trial and appreciate your preparation and concern for our behalf. We are weak. You are strong.
Good post and so true how things happen but I’m so thankful that God is never surprised and always sees us through.
Amen to that prayer. I cannot tell you how much I needed to read this right now.
So true, Luwana; the Lord is always with us so that we can take heart.