God Is With You Always

In a world that is so full of troubles, it would be easy to be unsure about how to answer the question, “what’s next?” It would also follow that we might begin to lose heart and grow weary because we cannot see how future events will unfold.

While many terrible events are happening in the world around us, let’s get personal for a few moments. You may be facing situations at this very moment making it difficult to even think about what comes next in your own life. Friends, you are not alone. We all need some encouragement. So what medicine is there for discouragement and loss of heart? What can energize us and lift our spirits? What helps us persevere in the trials of this life? Are there reasons for our afflictions?

Here's what I’ve found to be true: encouragement in difficult times is found in not losing sight of our vision of who God is, the knowledge of His holiness, the understanding His character and His ways. How does knowing God and that His ways are perfect make such a difference? Here are five biblical answers that are worth writing on our hearts:

• Sometimes God leads us through affliction to refocus our gaze on Him (Ps. 119:67, 71).

• At other times the Lord is pruning us so that we may bear more fruit than ever (John 15:2b).

• Or He may allow trials in our lives to touch others through us, as He did in the life of the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 4:10–12).

• And, in the mystery of His providence, He sometimes simply wants to show His grace and glory in us as He walks with us through our trials (as in the case of Job).

• Then, in every situation, He is working, as the great Presbyterian pastor Samuel Rutherford used to say, “to polish our graces” and to make us more like the Lord Jesus (Rom. 8:29).

We do not always see immediately what the Lord’s purpose is. But we know: “This God—his way is perfect” (Ps. 18:30). I suspect you already know these truths. You may have heard them emphasized again and again in sermons and bible studies. But hard times have a way of clouding our vision of just how much we have to be grateful for. Especially for a God who makes and keeps His promises. “What’s next” is in His hands. Our role is to trust that all His ways are good.

Father, as You shape us and make us conformed more to the image of Your Son, encourage us with your truth that the trials of this life are temporary. And surround us with other believers who will speak courage into our trials and offer grace to lift us up. Help us be encouragers, like Barnabas, when we see others who are weary. And Father, guard our hearts from the evil one who would fill us with doubt of Your loving kindness. Amen


Credit: Ron Kelley