I am always comforted by the beginning words of Psalm 46:1-3, “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. Selah.” The psalmist gives us reassurance that our God, the Lord of Hosts, is with us through the vicissitudes of life. When life is hard, He will come to help just at the breaking of dawn. Our God has the power to make wars cease and destroy the weaponry of our adversary. All we need do is be still and know that He is God. Despite…and even in the midst of the tumult we experience personally and in the world; He will be our refuge and will ultimately be exalted and glorified.
My first childhood mentor, renowned Gospel songwriter Carol D. Antrom, wrote a song entitled “My Times” based on Psalm 31:14-16. The lyrics say, “If I were in control of my life, I think that I would have worked things out differently. There would be no disappointments, no hurt, no pain…of these things my life would be scot-free. But that just goes to show, how little I really know about leading, about controlling my own life, for you see, all these things have worked together to make the best of me. And I’m glad that God controls my life. My times are in His hand, I’m learning each and every day to trust Him come what may…My times are in His hand.”
All things in our lives may not be good, but God works them together for our good if we love Him and are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Our loving Father, knows what we really need before you even ask. Isaiah 65:24 says, “I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (NLT) Sometimes we need material answers and immediate crisis interventions. At other times God knows what we actually need is the development of godly character, spiritual disciplines and more displays of the fruit of the Holy Spirit— love, joy, peace, patience, long suffering, meekness, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faith and self control. There are times when we need others to come alongside us with comfort and community, and still other times when God’s silence is meant to build our faith, hope and trust. Whatever the case, we believe and that our God will meet us at the point of our need.
Pastor Sadell