Pastor’s Ponderings: God is Faithful- Even in Hard Times

Posted by on Aug 19, 2014 in Pastors Ponderings | 0 comments

As a follow-up to yesterday’s services (August 17, 2014), I offer the following for our reflection.
God Bless. Pastor Jim

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PLEASE READ: Lamentations 3:22-26

“Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassion’s never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

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Without a doubt life takes us down roads that are uncomfortable, fearful, mysterious, or unplanned. Many of these are roads we would not choose to travel. These roads could include sickness, grief, accident, financial hardship, the impact of someone else’s mistake which may affect our health or quality of life, or even persecution for our Christian faith.

The Apostle Paul faced all kinds of hardship and difficulty* and yet, even while sitting in a jail cell (Acts 16:22-25), he could still sing songs of praise to God. How could he give thanks to God even though his life was in danger? He explains it like this, “I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me” (Phillipians 4:10-13).

When Daniel learned that his enemies were plotting to destroy him, he didn’t go to pieces or panic. We are told he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10). What is so profound to note is that in the midst of his unpleasant circumstances, the Bible says Daniel “prayed, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel knew that even though things could have been better, God would always be “his refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

The Bible commands us to “Be thankful in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul echoes these words in Ephesians 5:20 when he says, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The psalmist writes, “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalms 34:1). You see my friends, when we are praising God as our Source, our Strength, our Sustainer, our eyes are no longer on our outward circumstances but focused upon the One who can deliver us from our circumstances! That is good news, indeed! AMEN???

Our God loves us so much and has promised that His love and mercy will follow us all the days of our life. I love how David says it in that familiar passage of scripture, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” (Psalm 23:6a). The promise of God’s holy written word is that there is nothing that can ever separate us from His amazing love (see Romans 8:38-39).

Whatever you and I may be facing right now, God knows. And beyond knowing, the promise of Scripture is that God cares (see Psalms 55:22 & 1 Peter 5:7). We can trust in God’s promises because His faithfulness is “new every morning”!

Shalom,

Pastor Jim

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* for a detailed list of some of the sufferings the Apostle Paul endured, I invite you to read 2 Corinthians 11:16-28.

 

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