Confidence in Troubling Times
- Shawna Jones
- May 21, 2023
- 2 min read
(5/21/23)
"(6) Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. (7) They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (8) Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes."
It is impossible to go through life without being approached with bad news. On a global scale, we will hear stories of murder, violence, and hardship that people are facing around the world. Locally, bad news can come through the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or from receiving a troubling doctor's diagnosis. Despite the feelings of despair and hopelessness that most who don't know God are left in under these circumstances, those who fear the Lord can be confident in trying times. As Psalm 112:7 states, the righteous "will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Believers in Jesus can be confident as they look to God in the midst of all their problems. No matter what we see or hear, we can turn to God in prayer with confidence that He is working in each situation. We can rest knowing that the God of the Universe is in control. We can find comfort in the fact that our lives are held in His Hands. Thoughts of death, separation, lack of money, or loss of a job don't have to keep us in despair. We don't have to fear the times when everything seems as if it is falling apart. About verse 8, commentator Matthew Henry states, "It will complete the satisfaction of the saints, when they shall look back upon their troubles and pressures, and be able to say with St.Paul, when he had recounted the persecutions he endured ( 2 Tim. 3:11 ), But out of them all the Lord delivered me."
God is faithful. When hard times come, seek the Lord and trust Him. Turn to Him in prayer and don't give up. God will never leave or forsake you.
God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, please help me to look to You in trying times. Take my eyes off my situation and turn them to Your goodness. Glorify Yourself through my struggles and reveal Your character through these circumstances. Just help me to surrender to You and to trust You. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life.
In Jesus' Name, I pray, amen
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