Sometimes life throws us trials that seem impossible to surpass. We may be going through a peaceful time, and then, seemingly out of nowhere, life slaps you in the face. In those times, we must remember that God is not the one against us. In Romans 8:31-32, Paul says, “What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Rest assured: If you are in Christ, He is for you! Chris Tomlin sings, “And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then who can stand against?!” (“Our God”)
There may even be times when we do think that things have gotten so bad that God has something against us. We may think, God, what have I done that you have brought this on me? In those times, remember, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:9-10) Look carefully at how that verse is written. Jesus has never forsaken His people. It is not in His nature to do so! Even in the Old Testament times, when He was grieved at the ways of His people, He relented and kept a remnant alive. If He cared that much for His people then, He cares that much for us now, for, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
God is there with you through everything, thick and thin, trials and triumphs. Psalm 112:4 says, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.” Furthermore, verses 7 and 8 say, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” These verses present promises! First, we are promised light in the darkness. This is reiterated in Psalm 109:105, which says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Jesus Himself is the Light of the World! If you have His Spirit in you, the light is in you and with you always!
We will not fear bad news! How can that be? Fear is in the human nature. However, we are to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh, if we have the Holy Spirit in us (see Romans 8:5). And when living by the Spirit, we have God’s love. And God is love. Going on from there, we can look at 1 John 4:18 which says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” Conclusion: With God, we shall not fear! Chris Tomlin sings, “I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side. The One Who reigns forever: He is a friend of mine. The God of angel armies is always by my side!” (“Whom Shall I Fear”)
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells you to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” There are two parts there that we must remember in order to take hold of the second promise provided in Psalm 112:7. We must not only trust in God wholeheartedly, but we must also learn not to lean on what our mortal minds can comprehend. God is above all and through all and in all. Our minds cannot comprehend what He really is and how much He really loves us. How are we to overcome this hurdle? Trust in Him. Believe that He means what He says and that He will fulfill all of His promises! And those promises are found in His Word, which is available to us!
Next, take a closer look at Psalm 112:8 (presented above): “In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” This can be taken multiple ways, and I think that each can be applicable to their respective situations. After we have made it through a storm, we can look back and realize that God was with us and that He brought us through it. We were victorious over that situation! And, in the grand scheme of things, when He returns, we will be victorious! So, no matter how you look at it, with Jesus in control (and He is in control), we are victorious! He even promises us that in His Word! Psalm 60:12 tells us, “With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” If we are unable to conquer our enemies (due to our human limitations), He will trample them! What does this tell us? He backs us up when we walk with Him and trust in Him!
One key aspect in all of this is patience. Psalm 27:14 tells us to, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” We have to remember that God has His own timing. We must trust that He knows what He is doing. And through all of it, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” (Psalm 145:18-19) He does hear us and will save us! That is quite comforting to know!
God also gives us peace so that we can make it through our sufferings. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He has not given us peace as if from the world. Instead, He has provided us with His peace! He is with us! “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (See Romans 8:31.)
In everything, we must trust in God and place our faith in Him. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8a) At the sound of Jesus’ Name, Satan must flee! He has no choice! Furthermore, when we draw near to God instead, He comes close to us as well! Take the story of the Prodigal Son. He saw his son far off, and ran to him. That is how God comes to His children (that’s us)!
We should cast all of our anxiety on Jesus. Why? Because He cares for us! (See
1 Peter 5:7.) And when we turn over our trials, fears, problems, and shortcomings, and truly let them go, He takes them and replaces all of the negativity with His strength! And with that, we can and will persevere and make it through anything life throws our way!
Finally, after we have placed our trust in Him, we can have confidence that we are already victorious! Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.” “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Pray this prayer: Father, Thank You for never leaving me and for never forsaking me. I acknowledge that You are God in heaven above and on the earth below. Nothing is impossible with You. I lift my problems up to You. I know that You are with me through this storm, and I trust that You will bring me through it. Thank You for saving me and walking along with me. I know that Your love will bring me through this. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
God bless you!
