“Triumphing Over Days of Trouble”
And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you and you will honor Me.
Psalm 50:15
Days of trouble come to all people. Sometimes they simply come in the form of car repairs, viruses, miscalculations in the check book, or a misunderstanding with a friend or co-worker. There are other times the days of trouble are more ominous and the waves are large enough to capsize our confidence in God. I am referring to problems like losing a job, losing your retirement in investments gone bad, the tyrant of cancer, surviving a loveless marriage, coping with a wayward child who has walked away from God in pursuit of the passing pleasures of sin, the tragic and unexpected death of family and friends, and grappling with the oppressive torment of depression.
In one way or another each of us has to face our own day of trouble. The word “trouble” in this verse can also be interpreted as adversity, anguish, or affliction. These things can deal death blows to our belief in God if we are not careful. One bad day can cause a great setback to the ground that has already been advanced in the possession of your destiny.
For a week and a half it is my prayer that you have been making steady progress in your relationship with God as well as with the unwavering strength of your trust in Him. We must expect that there will be some difficult days along the way. Our health may fail us, we may face financial hardships, we may even suffer the death of our dreams which will only serve as a doorway to open our hearts to the dreams God has for us.
What should we do in the day of our afflictions and adversity? We must cry out to God. We sometimes forget to cry out to God in lieu of crying out to family and friends. Though our most staunch supporters can offer consolation, they cannot change the circumstances in many of the days of trouble we face. We must cry out to God and ask Him to intervene. God is the God of possibilities. Nothing we face is too difficult for Him, (Jeremiah 32:17.) No affliction we are forced to endure is out of reach of His gracious touch. Our God is a very present help in the most difficult days, (Psalm 46:1.) Keep on crying out to Him. Why, you ask?
He has promised to rescue us during these difficult days. He pulls us out of the tumultuous waters of days of anguish. He removes the hardships and darkness so we can see the light of hope again. He invigorates our faith to help us keep believing and to keep crying out. I have often been inspired by reading the biographies and autobiographies of men and women who faced much adversity but never quit believing and saw God deliver them. The pages of scriptures are filled with such examples. The three Hebrew children thrown into the fiery furnace but who came out unscathed in Daniel 3:1-27. Then there was Daniel, thrown into the lion’s den but uneaten as God closed the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:1-28.) There is the example of Moses and the entire nation of Israel at the Red Sea in Exodus 14. The examples could go on and on. The whole book of Job is about God helping Job to endure the day of trouble and God’s ultimate rescue.
I cannot know all that you are facing this day as we continue our forty-day challenge. I know the enemy will oppose us every step of the way, and I know that regardless of how faithful we are, days of trouble are no respecter of persons. We all face them, but how we face them is the key.
We must face them with the same undaunted faith we had during the easy days of blessing and comfort, when the sun shines on us and everything in our world seems ordered and neatly in place. That same peace and serenity must be the filter in our hearts during the dark and stormy days, giving us serenity and peace of mind.
God is our rescuer. He promised to be there for us when we feel we cannot keep our heads above water another moment. He throws out the life preserver of hope and gives us strength in our weary bodies to hold on, to tread water, and to swim to safety. God is the mighty rescuer. How do I know? I have been rescued many times from the dungeons of darkness and the tempestuous trials that overwhelm and dishearten. I have cried to Him for help and He has been there for me time and time again, and that is why I delight in glorifying and honoring His name. He will do the same for you.
Steps to Trust and Obey:
Keep in perspective that days of trouble come to everyone. Read about or talk with someone who has encountered such days and listen to their testimonies of God’s rescue.
By faith cry out to God and see Him rescuing you.
What is it that you most need for God to do for you in this very moment? Ask Him for that right now and share this with your prayer partners.
Stop and listen for His still, small voice. What is He saying to you and what is He leading you to do today?
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