Times of Trouble

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? (Proverbs 24:10-12)
 
Anyone looking at life in general or in particular, the circumstances surrounding the world in which we live, must quickly come to the conclusion that we live in troublesome times. When something appears on our horizon, leading us to disquiet or to be disturbed, distressed or harassed, we recognize the need there is to handle what we experience. On the world scene there are wars and rumours of wars. We are reminded that we are not to be alarmed. (Mark 13:7) Within society, we see a breakdown in human relationships and when that becomes personal, we struggle to find a way through. With the Psalmist, we may have reason to say, ‘I am troubled greatly’ (Psalm 38:6).
          
For the Christian, there is only one way to turn. In the light of Psalm 46:1, we recognize that, ‘God is a very present help in trouble’ and again, ‘He is a refuge in times of trouble.’ (Psalm 9:9). The point at which we begin is simply an awareness of the greatness of our God and the power and grace of God shown through Jesus Christ to triumph against all adversities directed towards us at any time, but especially in times of our greatest need.
 
There is comfort and assurance in the words of Christ to his disciples and in effect to us; “Let not your hearts be troubled you. Believe in God, believe also in me…..” (John 14:1).
Many years ago, George Goodman, a well-known Bible teacher, experienced a mental breakdown which surprised all that knew him. No one could understand how a man of such great faith and knowledge and spiritual understanding, could become so incapacitated. Two years later, when he came out of that terrible experience, this is what he wrote:-
 
     He led me by a way of pain, a barren and a starless place,
     I did not know his eyes were wet, he would not let me see his face.
     He left me like a frightened child, unshielded in a night of storm;
     How should I dream, he was so near, the rain swept darkness hid his form.
     But when the clouds were drifting back,
     And dawn was breaking through into day,
     I knew his feet had walked with mine, I saw his footsteps all the way.
 
Ponder
‘Rescue those being led away to death’ (Proverbs 24:11) … “It was men who stopped slavery. It was men who ran up the stairs in the Twin Towers to rescue people. It was men who gave up their seats on the lifeboats of the Titanic. Men are made to take risks and live passionately on behalf of others.”
[John Eldredge]
                             
Practice
We don’t always know how God has protected us but we know that he is good.  Praise him! “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7) We are to defend others. Be courageous!                                          
 
Prayer
Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
 
Under the shadow of Thy throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defence is sure.
[Hymn (original version): Our God, Our Help In Ages Past, Isaac Watts, 1708] 



Article written by Rev Peter Atkins, Tasmania