Man suffers from disease, accident, and from all kinds of trials and temptations. We are corruptible by nature: we age, deteriorate, and eventually die. If we will heed what god reveals in the creation account, then we can be cared for and looked after by God. if we acknowledge God and confess that God is our Creator and Lord, then we can have a personal relationship with God. We can be absolutely secure in God’s love and care, in God’s joy and peace.
That is the truth of God’s Word. That is what we hear from all the preachers, that is what is taught in Sunday School, that is what is taught in our small groups. Why is it so hard to live out? Why don’t we worry? Why do we doubt God? James 1 tells us to count it joy when we have trials. Is God telling me to have joy when I’m suffering? When I’m sick I can have joy? According to His Word I can!
In March of 2012 I was having a wonderful day at the church pulling music for Praise Team practice that night. I was enjoying a great day of singing the songs of Zion and worship with the Lord. There was no one else in the building, just the Lord and I. All of the sudden I had tightness in my chest and my blood pressure shot through the roof. I made it to the parsonage and called Dawn at work and told her that I was in trouble and needed to get to the hospital. I spent the night in the hospital, they ran all kinds of tests, and found out that I was in perfect health and sent me home. I was still in extreme pain and very weak. Come to find out I had Optic Neuritis and became high risk for MS and three years later deal with all kinds of symptoms that have me on a roller coaster of ups and downs. There is no rhyme or reason as to what is going on physically.
I’m to count it joy in all of this according to James 1. I’m to believe that there is good in all of this? I’m to believe that God created this? Well, in one word YES!!! In Proverbs 3: 5-6 it says these words: “Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.” If I were to sit and try and figure out my problems, if I were to try and figure out why there is disease and trials and temptations, I would go crazy. I have to turn it over to the Lord. I have to trust that His ways are higher than mine. That He is in control. That He knows what He is doing. He created this world and He holds all of it in His hands. Do I know what will happen to me tomorrow? No, but this I do know, God knows and that settles it for me.
Let me encourage you, no matter the trial that you are facing today, no matter the temptation that you might be facing right now, know this, God is in control. He knows where you are. He knows the way out. He knows how to make the path smooth if you will just trust in Him and rely on Him. Will you do that today? It is the only way to go!!! Have a blessed day!
Pastor Rob
