Are you facing trouble or troubles right now in your life? I really didn't have to ask that question; I already know the answer. The Bible tells us that we are going to face troubles in this world, all kinds of troubles. Maybe today you are facing financial troubles, relational troubles, health troubles, or job troubles. Maybe today you are facing a couple of these troubles or all of these troubles. Sometimes, if not all of the time, when trouble or troubles come our way, we will be tempted to fear. Fear can be crippling, even paralyzing. Fear can keep us from living the way God created us to live in this world.
I love what God tells us through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 41:8-10 says, "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.' So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand."
As we see throughout the Old Testament, God chose a people for Himself, a people called for a special blessing. God chose Israel, and God blessed them and intervened for them. Were they perfect? Absolutely not! Were they completely obedient, completely faithful? Absolutely not! However, God loved them. God moved on behalf of His people. God chose them; God was with them; God strengthened them; God helped them; God upheld them...in the midst of all the troubles, God was in control! This is good news for us today...in the midst of all our troubles, God loves us. As Christ followers, we are His people! As Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This is no longer just a call for the Israelites; it is a call to all people created in God's image. Through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ, we are sons and daughters of Almighty God! What God did for Israel, as promised in Isaiah 41:8-10, God does today for you and me in Christ! As His chosen people, God is with us; God strengthens us; God helps us; and God upholds us...in the midst of all our troubles. God created us to live fully and eternally. God created us to live for His glory, declaring "the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light." I know troubles tempt us to fear...to fear the financial hardship, to fear the relational turmoil, to fear the health concern, or to fear the job challenge. However, as Christ followers, we fear the Lord! The fear of the Lord leads to life; it leads to peace, and it leads to power! Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Praise God! The one Who has overcome the world is the One who lives in me! I have this peace! I have this power! I have Jesus! He is my strength! Thank You, Father, for the words You speak to me: "I will strengthen you." I claim Your promise today, Father, not for my will and not for my glory. I claim this promise today, Father, for Your will in my life and for Your glory from my life. Amen.
