EXPERIENCING TROUBLE Devotion #4 of 6

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." (Psalm 138:7)

CONFIDENCE IN TROUBLE

Faith enables the believer to rise above trouble, perceiving it as an opportunity for God to work. Even though crisis and stress are difficult and inconvenient, those in Christ can negotiate through them with confidence. This is another marvelous benefit of being in Christ. Faith takes hold of reality, even when circumstance seems to contradict it. Coupled with hope, it peers beyond the veil--beyond the situation--to the time of deliverance. Not murmuring or complaining, the believer can stand under remarkable stress. Confidence provokes supplication and praise; doubt and unbelief are the parents of murmuring and complaining. Rather than getting "angry at God," the believer anticipates deliverance from trouble. Believers may go into the furnace, but they also will come out of it. They may walk through the Red Sea, yet they will not be overcome by it. They may sit in a den of lions, but they will not be ultimately harmed. This is the heritage of the trusting ones. How wonderfully the promise comes to us. Take hold of it, and do not let it go! "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa 43:2).

THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH

Faith has a language of its own. It speaks with God in mind, not the circumstance. It sees beyond the present into the future. "For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock" (Psa 27:5). "I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness, Because Thou hast seen my affliction; Thou hast known the troubles of my soul" (Psa 31:7). "Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah." (Psa 32:7). "But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble." (Psa 37:39). "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." ( Psa 46:1). "In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee, For Thou wilt answer me." (Psa 86:7). "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Thy right hand will save me." (Psa 138:7). "This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles." (Psa 34:6). There is no reason why these confessions cannot be yours! The only thing that stands between you and their realization is faith. A choice is set before you, and you do well to ponder it. You can be impressed by your circumstances or you can be impressed by your great God. You can think in terms of the present, or you can anticipate what God has prepared for them who love Him! I can tell you from Scripture and from personal experience, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame" (Romans 10:11).

TESTIMONY OF DIVINE HELP

The perception of the hand of God in your past is strengthening to the soul. Like Samuel, you want to look over your past and acknowledge you have come this far with God's help (1 Sam 7:12). May these words be found in your heart and mouth! "But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness in the morning, For Thou hast been my stronghold, And a refuge in the day of my distress" ( Psa 59:16). "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted" ( Psa 77:2). Weary soul, you have not been left alone! You may be on a stormy sea, but if you will look, you will see Jesus coming to you, walking on the waters! If you are in the furnace of affliction, look about--there is One with you that sticks closer than a brother. You will come out! Your will come out!

--TOMORROW: THE FAITH-LIFE AND TROUBLE --