For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” ( Isaiah 41:13)

 

Troubles abound for all of us. No one is exempt from the darkness of this fallen world. This is not heaven. We all will face battles that bring pain and suffering but as believers, we are never without hope. For that fact, there is no reason for us to sink into despair as problems mount.

We are told in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose“. Everything God allows in your life has a specific, providential, eternal reason. Everything! There is not a disease, a financial issue, nor any painful affliction that is not being timed and measured by the hand of God with an unfailing purpose to bring you closer to him and stronger in your faith.   All that you have been given to endure has been settled in heaven! Although it seems that God is slow in answering your cry for help, know without a doubt that he is working on your life in ways you cannot imagine. He is moving heaven and earth to make straight the path he has destined for you since the foundation of the earth. There are no battles you face that are stronger than the armies of the living God. And though you may feel wounded and weary in your struggle, victory is always the outcome to those who belong to Christ.

To have peace in your trials, you must focus on the truth of God’s word. In 1 Samuel 17, we read of the Philistine army who came to battle the Israelites.  Goliath, who stood over 9 feet tall, was a champion fighter for the Philistines. With each threatening step he made toward the men of Israel, they would retreat in fear. When young David saw this, he volunteered to fight Goliath. He knew that Goliath was a strong warrior but more importantly, he knew that his God was stronger. While the army of Israel was acting in fear, David was acting in faith. As Goliath advanced toward young David, the bible tells us that David ran quickly toward him shouting, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand”. He never hesitated; and by faith, he defeated the giant.   David had no doubt that God was bigger than Goliath and the Philistine army. He never let fear make him forget that truth.

We are facing colossal battles in this world and it is easy to withdraw in fear. A pandemic virus is upon us with the power to take many lives. While we don’t understand why God is allowing this to happen,  we know that in all things his powerful plan is unfolding. He is completing the work he started in us. Believers have nothing to fear and everything to gain in the troubles of this life. That is a promise Christ died to give us.

The way to victory is to take the first step of faith and pray for the strength to trust that Christ is in total and utmost authority over all you are facing. You are never alone for a second of time and his eyes are always on you.  The prophet Habbakuk cried out to God, ” O LORD, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear?” It seemed to the prophet that God was ignoring his plea.  The LORD answered him, “ I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.  And the LORD later added “But the righteous shall live by his faith”

  Faith that is tested is faith that is proven true. A.W. Tozer, an American Christian Pastor in the 1900s once wrote, ” It is doubtful that God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply”. That may be difficult to understand, but everyone that has been used by God in a mighty way has all been tested by affliction. The testing of your faith produces steadfastness so that you may be complete and lacking in nothing. You are being made ready to live with Christ in a Kingdom that has no end.

Finally, one thing more to remember: “True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie.” A.W. Tozer