God is in Trouble

Your curiosity got the best of you didn't it?  You read the title and was expecting some deep lamentation, most likely political since it is an election year after all.  However, the title is meant to be an encouragement.  God is in trouble.  Our troubles.  He is there.  A wonderful revelation by the Psalmist in Psalm 46. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

No matter what circumstances you are faced with today, God is there.  In fact, the Psalmist reminds us that God is a "very present help" in all of our troubles.  Surely we have spent the midnight hours fretting about the uncontrollable circumstances that surrounds us.  God is there.  His presence is immediate.  Much like the Psalmist said in the 23rd Psalm, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us.  It reminds me of the poem "Footprints."  The poem tells the story of a man who dreamed that he was walking on the beach with the Lord.  As he looked back on the journey, he noticed that in the difficult times of his life, there were only one set of footprints.  He questioned the Lord about it and the Lord responded that during those times, the Lord carried him through it.  Dear reader.....that is a beautiful picture of a "very present help."  So, if God is our very present help, our refuge, and our strength, what does that mean for us?  Verse two reveals the answer.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, (Psalm 46:2)

Oftentimes it is easier said than done.  How is that possible?  I believe that answer is found in the tenth verse:

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
(Psalm 46:10)

In a time where life seems to demand so much of our time and energy, in the face of difficulties, we simply need to atop.  Turn our focus to God.  That phrase "be still" is simply telling us to calm down.  You know the common response in the difficulties.  We fret.  We worry.  We overreact.  We get frustrated.  We get overly sensitive.  God is telling us to calm down.  He is a very present help.  Know Him.  Trust Him. Believe Him.  Why?  Because He is our help (v4), He is present (v5,7), He is powerful (v6), and He is sovereign (v8,9).  Yes, God is in trouble and that is a good thing.

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What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
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I’ve heard about a little six-year old boy who restlessly struggled to listen to a rather lengthy sermon. After the service, the little boy asked the question that sooner or later most "church kids" ask. "Dad" he said, "what does the preacher do the rest of the week?" The dad replied, "Son, he’s a very busy man. He takes care of church business, visits the sick, studies the Bible. . . and he has to take time to rest up. You see, preaching in public is not an easy job." The little boy thought about that and said, "Well, listening ain’t so easy either!"
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Have a blessed day!