So many around the world are hurting. From natural disasters to war and violence of all kinds we see the lives of our loved ones snatched away. We face what seems like unbearable suffering. Our loss becomes so overwhelming that some people seek to end their lives.
Because we live in a fallen world, a sinful world, tragedy and death will always happen. But the Lord promises to be by our side and to uplift us in the midst of it all.
Throughout David's life he was harassed by enemies who wanted to kill him. War was a constant threat. David speaks to us today about seeking God as our refuge from times of trouble. In Psalm 46: 1-3 he says this:
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling."
God understands our sorrows and pain. He longs to comfort us and to show us His love. David tells us to trust Him.
"Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8
How do we trust God? To trust someone I have to believe that they do not want to hurt me. I have to feel safe with them. Trust allows us to be open to others, to be vulnerable. We can "pour out our heart" to them. When we trust someone, we can place our confidence in them. We can HOPE! God is where David found his hope. In Psalm 33: 22 he says:
" Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone."
David did not find his hope in armies. He did not find his hope in his generals. He did not find his hope in his own wisdom. He found his hope in God alone.
In Psalm 9:9 David says:
“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
We seek God in prayer. Trusting God comes from prayer. God does not forsake those who look for Him. He does not forsake those who call out to Him. Pastor Andrew Roebert makes an important point about trust. He says this,
"Do the possible and leave the impossible to God. Sometimes we think that we are responsible to do the impossible. Let me just release you of that weight. God is responsible for the impossible and we are asked to do what is within our ability to do."
When grief is overwhelming us remember that God can do the things we think are impossible. He can restore us even if it seems unthinkable.
“Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord. Isaiah 50:10
Who is Isaiah speaking to? To those who fear the Lord and obey Him. Those are the people who can trust in the Lord. But why would those people "walk in darkness"? Because while we are in the midst of troubling times and sorrow it indeed feels dark. But the faithful know that they must wait patiently and have confidence in the Lord. They know that our God has not forgotten us. They know that He sees us and our pain.
It is easy to trust in God when things are going well. In times like those we tend to think we don't need God so much. When difficulties come, we either fall by the wayside or we recognize our need for God. By recognizing our need our faith grows.
Sorrow and grieving are not sinful. Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb. When we trust God, we know there will be deliverance from the pain. When we truly trust God, we can say with Job:
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Job13:15 (a)
"Our faith is our light in the darkness." - MacLaren's Exposition. God's light draws us to Him to comfort us. The stronger our faith is the easier it will be to see the light. God is our refuge in sorrow.
Prayerfully we should say with Habakkuk 3: 17-18
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
William Cowper wrote a hymn several hundred years ago entitled "God Moves in a Mysterious Way". These are the first two verses. God Bless you as you move through life's difficulties and trials.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform.
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.
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