In Times of Troubles

Dear Friends, 

We all have troubles as we live our lives. Noone is exempt because we live in a fallen, broken world. Jesus said, "It rains on the just and the unjust." This means that life happens to everybody. I have troubles. You have troubles. How we cope with these issues determines the direction of our lives. If we focus on them they can saturate our lives and make us miserable. If we focus on God and His promises, if we trust in Him, depend upon on Him, then we can rise above our circumstances and live the "abundant life" Jesus promised to give us.

Let's look at some of those promises now. Refer to them often for strength and endurance as we run the race set before us.

Psalms 121:5-8 NIV

[5] The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; [8] the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalms 138:6-7 NIV

[6] Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. [7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

Psalms 9:9 NIV

[9] The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalms 41:1-3 NIV

[1] Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. [2] The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. [3] The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

Psalms 59:16-17 NIV

[16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. [17] You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalms 46:1,10 NIV

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Nahum 1:7 NIV

[7] The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

Psalms 9:10 NIV

[10] Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 27:4-5 NIV

[4] One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Psalms 50:15 NIV

[15] and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalms 91:14-16 NIV

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalms 107:28-31 NIV

[28] Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. [29] He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. [30] They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. [31] Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

James 5:13a. NIV

[13] Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. 

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Let's all trust God with everything in our lives. He is everything we need. He will protect us and deliver us in this world.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

[3] But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 

1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

We are protected and shielded by God's power until we get to heaven. So be courageous. Stand strong. God loves us and will deliver us from our troubles.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post