Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Is God only there in times of trouble?

Hi All

Have you ever noticed that while the issues of life are at a standstill and everything appears to be right in our lives then our fellowship with God takes a back seat.
I have noticed this in many families, including my own, that when life is good and without major issue then there seems to be apathy towards the fact that trouble may well be just around the corner.

You might well be saying that no one can live their lives always expecting the worse because that would make for a real dreary existence and you would be probably be right in that thinking.
What is the thought usually?
'Live for today, for tomorrow might never come'.
The Gospel writer Luke records Jesus telling of the rich man who sought to be richer in life:
Luke 12:19-20
(19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
(20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?


The Apostle of Jesus Christ, James, has a thought on this matter when he through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares:
James 4:13-14
(13)  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
(14)  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.


James is declaring to us that we can make many plans with those that we love, those that are our friends, those things that we love to do and yet nothing is certain in the planning.
Does that mean we then do not plan anything for fear it will never happen?
Most certainly not however any planning must be done in the knowledge that life is what it is - uncertain and transitory.

In my own planning I always have the thought that it is God in His Sovereignty who allows me to be what I am and go where I need to be according to His Will and Purpose.
When I do have trouble in life which can be little or much, I know that my continued fellowship with Him allows me always to have a unique access to someone who cares and loves me without apportioning a continued blame.
The Psalmist gets it right:
Psalm 46:1-3
(1)  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(2)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
(3)  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psalm 121:1-2
(1)  A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
(2)  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.


Of course that unique fellowship that I have with God came at a price that I could never have paid.
God gave of Himself through His Son Jesus Christ on Calvary's Cross to take my place, my condemnation and pay for my failure in sin.
To many that seems bizarre especially when it happened so long ago and yet when we consider our need for redemption (purchasing) from sin it matters not when it happened but that it did happen.
Jesus did come and to make atonement for my sin and that allows me to be justified (declared Righteous in Jesus Christ) and have access by God's Amazing Grace to heavens Throne.

Do not start only to look for God when trouble comes your way.
Is it not better to have Him at your side every moment of the day, having a peace in life that rejoices in the love of God for ever and not just when things are quiet.
Trouble in life is never far away whether you are saved or unsaved, a Christian or someone who is lost to God.
Proverbs 3:5-7
(5)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(7)  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.


What is the only Way that we can have a unique relationship with God?
Jesus declared it to Thomas who doubted what the Way was:
John 14:6
(6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Pastor Peter Skillen
braehillbaptist@gmail.com