The book of Job details the sufferings of a man who did nothing wrong but went from one trial to another. He lost his children, servants and material goods, then he was afflicted with sickness and body sores. Everyone deserted him and even his friends condemned him. Job said in Job 3:25 "What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me."
Similarly, in 1 Samuel 21:12-15 David was in a season of trial. He ran away from Saul, who made several attempts on his life. He ran to Achish, king of Gath (an enemy of Israel) but the servants of Achish recognized him. When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath. So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard. God delivered him and after that experience, he wrote Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Note that both men were afraid in the trial - they were not super heroes, they were men like you and I.
Some seasons we feel like Job and David. Unpleasant things happen even after we have prayed and prayed; we become so weary that we dread the next thing that can go wrong. The enemy of our soul wants to keep us on the run. He attacks us with the things we dread issues with our loved ones, financial strain, betrayal, ill health etc. Isaiah 66:4 We cannot feed the fear, but rather we must build ourselves up in our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20. We must persevere through the trial and outlast the devil. In the move, Life of PI, after an incredible journey of untold suffering, the hero observes "Even when God seemed to have abandoned me, he was watching. Even when He seemed indifferent to my suffering, He was watching and when I was beyond all hope of saving... He gave me rest and gave me a sign to continue my journey...." God will help us; He will not leave us and neither will He forsake us. God's presence assures us the victory. Hebrews 13:5. The Lord wants you to bring all your troubles to Him and let Him fight for you. Psalm 78:53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; God will guide you into safety, be not afraid!
And guess what? The story of Job does not end there - Job chapter 42 was written to encourage us. There is victory after trial. Job chose to worship God and humble himself under God's hand. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Paul and Silas in Acts 16:22-26 had been beaten, put in prison with their feet in stocks. They chose to praise God and sing songs at midnight rather than worry or be afraid. Their worship caused an earthquake that broke all their chains and those of other prisoners. They got the victory because they chose to trust God and even people around them became free because of their obedience.
How about you? What is your attitude during periods of trial? Do you grumble (like I do sometimes) or become fearful of the devil's power, forgetting that he is not God? God is all-powerful and He promises you double for your trouble. "For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." Jesus tells us "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Like Job, you can be sure that God will bring you through the trials. Like David, He shall deliver you from all your fears and the chains that bind you (or your loved ones) will all be broken, in Jesus' name. Expect a restoration of all that you have lost: abundant restoration, double for your trouble. Until then, have courage and remember that nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Amen. Romans 8:37
Write to us and share what you are going through. We promise to pray and agree with you for victory from the trials.
