Peace Through Difficulties

None of us need to be reminded that we will have problems in life.  Difficulties may be small, or they may be large, but it goes without saying that we will experience trying times.  Calmness, tranquility, or peace - the opposite of difficulty - are what most people desire.  However, it seems that the harder we try to work through our difficult times the worse they get.  So, where should we turn when problems are heaped upon us?  The Bible says, “You [God] will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

• According to this verse the “You” refers to God.  That means that calmness of mind and spirit comes directly from Him.  God is the ultimate, divine source of peace.
• The peace that God gives comes through minds that are “steadfast”.  This means that when our minds are completely committed to God, they are not subject to change and are securely set in place.
• The way we enjoy God's peace is through personal “trust” in his character, strength, truth and reliability - all of which gives us great confidence.

The New Testament says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  Having God’s peace as we go through difficult times will help us confidently rest in His strength to protect us emotionally (our “hearts”) and mentally (our “minds”).  With God’s peace we will experience a calm assurance because He is in control.  Where does all this come from?  The verse continues to say this happens “in Christ Jesus.”

Obviously, it is always easier to talk about trust than it is to do actually trust.  However, God wants us to move forward in life, and that will happen if we do not stray from putting our trust completely in Him. What difficulty, problem, or concern do you have today, or have you had recently?  Are you trying to figure things out using your own strength?  Why not enjoy the abundant peace that God gives?  Why not rest peacefully in His strong arms of love and care?

God's Help

Our family used to live in the San Joaquin Valley in California, not far from Yosemite National Park, where we periodically visited.  In the park, which is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we were able to view “Half Dome”.  Half Dome is a rock formation that rises nearly 5000 feet above the valley.  The peak is cut by natural erosion, so it appears as if it is half of a dome, and thus the name.  When we visited the park and viewed Half Dome in person, I was reminded of Psalm 121 and two things that must have impressed the writer of this psalm.

1)    First, God’s Help.  As the psalmist viewed the range of hills before him, he made a comment and then posed a question.  He said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? (Psalm 121:1).  With confident assurance he immediately answered his own question by stating, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).  One look at the expanse of the hills that lay before him caused him to think about the faithfulness of His God.  It was God who repeatedly provided divine help for him and the hills impressed him with this thought.  If you have not seen Half Dome but have seen a mountain range, hills, or a huge rock formation, what has come to your mind?  Do you see the beauty of what is before you?  Do you recognize what you see as a creation of God?  That is good.  However, when you stand before a huge hill or mountain expanse I encourage you to think about the help that God has provided for you all because of His faithfulness.

2)    Second, God’s Ability.  To the psalmist the hills before him were huge.  They were mammoth.  However, in his mind’s eye, as big as these hills were, his God was even bigger.  It was God’s creative power that caused him to focus on God’s divine ability that was obviously much greater than his own ability.  God made the mountain.  Therefore, God had both the power and ability to do many wonderful things – not just in physical creation but also in his life.  The rest of Psalm 121 identifies what God did for the psalmist.

    a)    God was His Protection.  In every conceivable situation God was constantly guarding him.  The psalmist was reminded that, “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4).  God was there to protect him during the day or even in the deepest part of the night.

    b)   God was His Provision.  God was at hand to give the psalmist everything that he needed.  He said, “The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5-6).  Every need was provided so the psalmist had just what God wanted him to have.

   c)    God was His Preservation.  God watched over his daily life so closely that he was supported in every possible way.  The psalmist was reminded that, “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.  The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).  He was confident that God was in the business of preserving him – no matter where he was.

What is the biggest problem that you face today?  As you think of that problem remember Half Dome; remember the mountains.  Since God is bigger than the biggest mountain, He is also bigger than the greatest problem you face or could ever imagine.  Are you willing to turn the problem that you have over to God today?  He will provide help for you - more help than what you could ever ask for, think about, or imagine.  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20).

Heat and the Trusting Person

What do you know about summer heat?  Most of us who live in the upper Midwest know that heat always seems to be greatest in the month of August.  We know that it can scorch and parch the earth.  We know that shade gives us a welcome relief from the sweltering summer heart.

As the prophet Jeremiah described the person who puts their trust in Christ, notice his reference to heat.  “But blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

A person who trusts Christ does not have to fear the problems and difficulties that may arise in life.  Look at Jeremiah’s quote one more time and notice 5 things about the trusting person. The trusting person (1) Will be blessed; (2) Has a constant source of nourishment and refreshment; (3) Remains alive and vibrant; (4) Does not have to live in fear; and (5) Bears fruit.

My question to you today is, “Are these five things true of your life?”  When problems and difficulties of life (that might be consider a scorching heat) arise, are you protected?  If not, what is it that you need to help your anxiousness and fears subside?  The Scripture gives us the answer.  It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  To trust the Lord is to rely on Him completely—in every way and at all times.  Put your trust in the Lord today.  Then you can address the heat of daily living with confidence and without worry because God’s protection and strength will be your experience.

Entering the Unknown - The New Year

We are already two weeks into the New Year of 2013 and we still do not know a lot of things about it.  What joys will be ours?  What difficulties will we experience?  How will we respond to the positives and the negatives?  Many years ago, king Jehoshaphat of Israel faced an army that was huge and powerful and about to anannihilate them.  In prayer, he came before God and said,   ”We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (II Chronicles 20:12).  What great advice and a wonderful example he gave for us to follow.  When the unknown is before us – whatever that may be – we should keep our eyes on God.  Here are a few reasons why we should keep our eyes on God.

1)    God is more powerful than any situation we may face.  “Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you” (Psalm 66:4).

2)    God is always ready to answer us and show us what we do not know.  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

3)    God wants us to come into His presence at any time—even when we are weak and weighed down with concerns.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

So, how are you doing at facing the unknown in 2013?  Are you Unsure?  Tense?  Concerned?  Fearful?  Doubtful?  Discouraged?  Perplexed?  When faced with some of these feelings, try the Jehoshaphat solution.  Keep your eyes on God and commit yourself to trust Him.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Touch of the Master

When we were younger and became sick or did not feel well we went to our mother and appreciated her tender touch.  That touch was all that was needed.  We knew her touch would help us through our difficulty.  As we grew into our adult years and became sick we longed for the touch of a doctor who could diagnosis the problem and give us an injection or a pill that would be a quick fix to make us better.  Chapter one of the Gospel of Mark tells the story of a man who had leprosy -- an infectious, communicable, debilitating disease -- which was incurable (in Biblical times) and resulted in death, usually within a decade.  The leper came to Jesus in faith acknowledging that healing rested in the hands of God and that Jesus had the power to heal him.  He said to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40).   What we see next is Jesus reaching out to this man with compassion, touching him, and healing him with a simple command.  Here’s how the Scripture puts it: “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured” (Mark 1:41-42).  

You and I need to experience the compassionate touch of Jesus, the Master – maybe not because of a medical condition, but because of a difficulty or a problem that we face.  We need to: (1) Acknowledge God’s power and sovereignty – “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (2) We need to understand that Jesus feels a deep sympathy for us with a desire to help us – “Filled with compassion.”  (3) We need to know that Jesus is ready and willing to help us just as we are – “I am willing.”

Jesus is in the business of touching lives today.  It doesn’t matter who we are, what we have done, or the situation in which we find ourselves.  You and I can experience the wonderful touch of the Master – for cleansing, for healing, for restoration, for enrichment, for encouragement, for forgiveness of sins.  Are you willing to come to the Master for His tender touch to meet your need?

Disappointment, Sorrow...and Something Greater

All of us would rather not experience disappointment and sorrow.  However, these emotions are a part of life.  Someone may say something or do something that is the opposite of what we thought they would say or do and that disappoints us.  A broken relationship or the sickness or loss of a loved one may cause sorrow.  Amid disappointment, sorrow and grief there can be a ray of hope.

In the New Testament, when writing to the people who lived at Corinth, the Apostle Paul said, “I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds” (II Corinthians 7:4).  Notice that Paul was facing many difficulties ("troubles"), and yet, he could experience joy.  In his difficult situations he took the opportunity to do two things:

1. Encourage the people to whom he was writing (“great confidence in” and “take pride in”) and
2. Find abundant joy (“in all our troubles…joy knows no bounds”).  

How could he find great joy through his difficulties?  From the Old Testament, Nehemiah helps answer this question when he said,“Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).  Joy comes from the Lord and it does not depend on being in a good situation.  While you are going through a time of disappointment, sorrow or grief you can have great joy—if you let the Lord provide it for you.  What difficulty is discouraging you today?  Turn to the Lord.  He is ready to help you have abundant joy in spite of your situation.