In The Midst Of Trouble

TEXT: PSALMS 138:7 (NIV)

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me."

MAN AND TROUBLE

If you are a human being and alive, then you must know what trouble is. It is everywhere and fears no foe. Job said: "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). Trouble stalks man from the day of birth till death. It is a constant companion from the cradle to the grave.

Trouble never knocks before it enters your home. It is like an unwanted visitor, a nagging wife or a quarrelsome husband. If you don't seek it, it will seek you. If you look for it, you will surely find it. We live in the midst of trouble. The Lord will deliver you from your troubles in Jesus name

THE DEVIL AND TROUBLE

The source of man's trouble is traced to the devil. When he rebelled against God, he was thrown down to earth and the troubles of man started. Rev 12:12 says: "Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

The devil is trouble; he sells trouble and pays trouble. His mission on earth is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he brews trouble with all these. When the spirit of God departs from a man, the agents of the devil begins to trouble him. Saul experienced the troubles of Satan as King of Israel: "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him" (1 Sam 16:14).

BELIEVERS AND TROUBLE

Believers are not immune from troubles. Trouble (temptation and trials) is common to man (1 Cor 10:13). God allows trouble to befall his children as a test of their faith in him. Satan was allowed by God to test Job. The book of Job chronicles his troubles with Satan. Sin also invites trouble to our doorsteps. David allowed lust to overcome him and the result was trouble in his home and nation. Prophet Nathan delivered this troublesome message to him after his encounter with Uriah's wife and his attempted cover up and murder: "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife" (2 Sam 12:10). Elijah, God's messenger of fire, ran for his life when he smelled trouble coming from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2-3). Trouble will not locate your dwelling place in Jesus name.

GOD AND TROUBLE

When trouble blow its whistle at you, call upon God. The believer, though not free from trouble is assured of the presence and help of God when trouble calls. Psalms 50:15 tells us: "... call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.' God knows there will be days of trouble and He that allows the trouble to come knows how to deliver his children for his name to be glorified. God will not allow any trouble greater than your capacity to come your way. He will also provide an escape route when the trouble comes (1 Cor 10:13). In your day of trouble, Satan will not block your escape route in Jesus name. The Lord will hear and answer you speedily when trouble visits you in Jesus name. He will deliver you in Jesus name.

Job said: "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee" (Job 5:19). David also acknowledged God's promise of deliverance in times of trouble: "For he hath delivered me out of all trouble..." (Ps 54:7). The Lord shall deliver you from all your troubles in Jesus name. No matter the trouble you find yourself, lean on the promise of God: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa 43:2). Even though we walk in the midst of trouble, the Lord will preserve our lives. He will stretch forth His right hand against the anger of our foes and save us from trouble in Jesus name (Ps 138:7).

PRAYER:

Father, please never leave or forsake me, do not abandon me in times of trouble. Stretch forth your right hand of power to deliver me from all my troubles in Jesus name.

CONFESSION:

Lord, you are my refuge and strength, my present help in times of trouble.

God bless you. Shalom.