Can We Trust God In Trying Times?
We live in very troubling times and sometimes it can seem like God is on break. We look around and ask, “Where are you, God? I feel so alone!”
The truth is, He’s always with you.
He promised He would be with us always as long as we are obedient to Him.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
We can see this promise in action though in Mark 4:35-41 as Jesus and His disciples encounter a storm while in a ship on the sea. The disciples were very afraid and went looking for Jesus, only to find Him fast asleep.
This disturbed them a bit. They wake Him and ask if He even cares that they are about to die. So, Jesus got up and spoke to the wind and the sea so that it was calm again. Crisis averted.
Now, you are probably familiar with this story, but there is something you may have missed. See, after Jesus calmed the storm, He rebuked His disciples. Now, why would He do that?
Because throughout scripture we are told repeatedly to not fear and to trust God. As His disciples, they would have been studying scripture and would have encountered His teachings on faith and trust in God.
Keep in mind, at that time the only scripture that the disciples had was what we now call the Old Testament. When Jesus told them to search the scriptures it was our “Old Testament” that He was directing them to. Let’s look at some of the verses that they may have encountered.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9
Today we have both the Old Testament and the New Testament so we have an abundance of scripture that reminds us to trust in God and assures us that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Scripture that reminds us to trust in God
Here are a few to keep handy so when fear comes round you can hit back with the Word of God.
He knows what is going to happen next.
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. Proverbs 3:5-6
He never changes.
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6
He keeps His word.
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:4
He did not give us a spirit of fear.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
He loves you.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Can we trust God in these trying times? Absolutely! He loves us and cares for us and He only wants what is best for us.
When we are obedient to Him and love others with a Christlike love, when we share the gospel, and when we glorify Him in all we do He promises He will always be there for us. And He never goes back on His promises.
