There are times in life that feel as if we are walking along
alone. Or shall I say, there are times in my life that have felt as though God
is not with me. Not because of anything He has changed or adjusted, but my
emotions and situations want me to believe that He has left me to figure life
out by myself or that I have to bring change in my own strength.
When there are difficult times, times that cause my life to
rumble or a full-blown rocking display, I find that it is easy for me to draw
conclusions that are not true. These conclusions sometimes sound like this…
‘God doesn’t care’, or ‘I do not believe that things will ever get better; this
is my lot in life’, or maybe ‘I don’t see how things could change or improve,
so God won’t be able to do anything’.
These sort of conclusions are hopeless, lonely, broken, sad,
and totally opposite of God’s heart for me. If you have had similar or even
different conclusions… here are some verses that come to mind that reveal what
is true in difficult times:
‘The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going
to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided,
and all was calm.’ Luke 8:23-25
‘At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,
“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words
“once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created
things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for
our “God is a consuming fire.’
Hebrews 12:26-29
These verses assure
me that God knows EXACTLY what is
happening in my life, nothing takes Him by surprise. He does not like or want
us to suffer, but when situations or difficulties arise in this life, HE IS
WITH US.
This can all sound so cliché and not practical (and I am
very practical), but this is the ONLY truth that is unwavering, unshakable, and
eternal. That God who has great LOVE for me and you and is also RICH in mercy
has made a way for us to always rely, lean on, and fall into His arms of rest
and safety (Eph 2:3-5).
If you are facing a time that seems impossible, or just a
bit of a difficult rumble, remember this… That if you call to the Lord He is
faithful to save you. God delights in us. He rescues us from our
enemy even if our enemy is our own mind.
If you find yourself fighting a battle that seems unending,
Psalm 18 is a great place to gain strength and truth to fight against the one
who wants to devour you.
A song by Matt Redman (Never Once) has always been an
encouraging anthem of truth when it feels like I am alone. Here is part of the
song.
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
