Wednesday, August 7, 2024
When Trouble Comes Your Way
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. (Psalm 23:4 NLT)
We all will go through valleys in life, those hard times when we experience severe trials. We might experience a family problem, a physical difficulty, or even a time of intense temptation. When you face one of these trials, remember this: you are not alone.
The Bible says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). That is a great promise to believers.
Yet there are times in our lives when we may not feel God’s presence.
Let’s say, for example, that you walk outside on an overcast day and can’t see the sun. You think, “The sun was here yesterday, but I don’t see it today. I don’t feel its warmth. I guess the sun must have gone away.”
But the sun hasn’t gone away; the clouds have merely obscured it.
In the same way, some Christians falsely conclude that because they don’t feel God, He has disappeared. But He is there, even when we don’t feel Him. And it is during those times that we must walk by faith, not by feeling.
God has said in His Word that He will be with us. That is how we know He is there. Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, He said, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (43:2 NLT).
God promised, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT), and Jesus said to His disciples, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT).
God doesn’t promise to keep us out of all trouble. But He does promise to be with us in the midst of it. It’s a great thing to know that when the Lord lets His children go through a fiery trial, He always keeps an eye on them and an eye on the thermostat.
We must remember to cast our problems upon the Lord and turn them over to Him in times of need.
When Mary and Martha saw that their beloved brother, Lazarus, was sick, they sent word to Jesus. They realized they needed God’s help.
When the Israelites were griping and complaining about Moses, he cried out to God.
When Hezekiah received a threatening letter from a king who wanted to destroy him, he spread that letter out before the Lord.
And when John the Baptist was beheaded, his disciples went and told Jesus.
Therefore, when trouble comes your way, cast it on Him. Spread it out before Him. Call upon Him. The Bible says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). You do not serve and follow a God who is disinterested in your life. He is compassionate. He is concerned. And He wants to help you.
Copyright © 2024 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
Experience the heartwarming story of the Smallbone family as they navigate challenges that test their faith and showcase the power of family. Receive a copy of this moving film on DVD and digital download when you make a gift of any amount to Harvest Ministries this month.
