When all else fails

PSALMS 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

We live in days of constant change and nothing seems to be certain anymore. There was a time when most things in our lives were predictable, at least to a certain degree.

Change is a constant factor in our lives and seems to be in a state of acceleration. God spoke to the prophet Daniel about the days in which we live:

DANIEL 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

So many people are no longer coping with the pressures of modern suburban living and with all of its demands and constant stress. As Christians, the added spiritual pressure that often builds up is pushing many to the edge of their ability to survive.

DANIEL 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

In the days of Isaiah the prophet, the nation of Israel was facing seemingly insurmountable problems and conditions. Great armies were threatening to annihilate them and, to top it off, the king dies. What does God do to calm Isaiah’s fears? GOD SHOWS HIM HIS THRONE.

ISAIAH 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

God was showing him that He was in control of everything.

PSALMS 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

PSALMS 93:2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Sometimes, one’s problems seem insurmountable; sometimes, we get ourselves into difficulties that would seem to overwhelm us. No matter what our circumstances are, GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE AND HAS NOT LOST CONTROL OF ANYTHING.

PSALMS 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Our trust in God can only be proven under great difficulties and trials. Do we really believe that God has everything in control when it comes to our lives, even if we mess up?

PSALMS 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Quite often, when it comes to Scriptures that seem to contradict life in general, we try to spiritualize them or put them in a non-literal category. For instance, I have heard Romans 8:28 interpreted so many times in a way that dilutes its meaning.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

What part of ALL THINGS don’t we understand? You are called of God and have a purpose, so you must believe that all things mean ALL things.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

To many, this is a hard one. “In everything gives thanks” – does it really mean that? YES! Can you believe that God can turn any situation in your life into a plus?

God is on His throne, He sees all and He is mindful of you. Everything you are going through will change, there are times and seasons for everything – every sunset will eventually give way to sunrise and a new day.

Your problem is not the issue; your reaction to the problem is the real issue.

Life is not fair – God designed it that way. Not everyone will like you and you have to come to terms with that. Not everything will go right for you, at least in your eyes.

One of the most devastating doctrines is that if things are going wrong in your life, you must be out of the will of God, or worse, you must have sinned. Well, if you believe that, you need to have a good talk with Job:

JOB 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

After God made this statement, everything went wrong for Job – at least it seemingly did.

HEBREWS 10:34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

When all else fails, thank God for your trials. Rejoice, be glad and be thankful for all the good things that have been in your life and are yet to be.

God is in control – be happy! Give thanks, and soon the burden will lift and God will find a way for you where there is no way, or He will give you tremendous grace to go through the trial and testing time to bring you into a larger place in Him.

DEUTERONOMY 8:15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

JOB 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.