The Tribune

By CARLOS SPENCER

Life has its various challenges, and everyone has a battle to face at some point in their life. For some the tough moments are almost insurmountable, and unceasing, but few have experienced adversity like that of Job, yet he was able to overcome. Job lost everything he had and his wife wanted him to curse God and die but he held on to his faith in God. We should also do likewise when the cares of this world beat us down, even if we are tempted to ask the all familiar question of “why?”

Proverbs 3:5 -6 (KJV) reminds us to: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This is really powerful and enlightening scripture.

King David lived through many trying moments during his lifetime and he often turned to God for refuge and solace. For this reason, the book of Psalms is rife with passages which we can refer to in our difficult times. Psalm 20:1 (KJV) records: “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.”

Meanwhile Psalm 5:11 (KJV) tells us: “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” Psalm 9:9 (KJV) reassures the believer with these words: “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 62:8 (KJV) reinforces our faith “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

Faith feeds on faith. The greater our trust and reliance on God, the more we learn to trust in Him. David wrote in Psalm 27:5 (KJV): “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 46:1 (KJV) tells us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” David states his faith, trust and confidence in God (again) in Psalm 86:7 (KJV): “In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.”

Psalm 18:30 (KJV) expresses God’s divine providence over our challenges in this way: “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30 makes it abundantly clear that God and His word is no fluke experience, but a sanctuary that is reliable, and has delivered for those who have placed their trust in Him. David tells us in Psalm 37:5 (KJV) to “commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” My final reference to the book of Psalms in this commentary refers to Psalm 118:8 (KJV). The passage states: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

Isaiah 26:4 (KJV) says: “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” In John 14:1 (KJV) Jesus tells us: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) provides us with the assurance that keeps our faith steadfast and unshakable: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

I shall conclude with Jesus’ remarks to us in John 14:27 (KJV): “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His Word.