Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Tuesday, 01 November 2022 12:31

When Life Turns to Despair
There will be times when it seems our world is being turned upside down. In these times it would be so easy to go beyond mere unease or nervousness into a state of despair. In fact, you may currently find yourself feeling somewhat like the Psalmist felt in the face of all the events of these present times.
Psalms 143:3-6 (KJV) 3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.

It’s not a sin to find yourself wondering how we’re going to get through some difficult situation. It is crucial that we learn to respond by faith! Unless we cultivate a genuine faith, there is the possibility that we won’t have the depth needed to endure. Simon Peter had a level of faith that needed work.

Luke 22:31-32 (KJV) 31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Even if things are going well for you now, do not ignore this lesson! So much is already determined by the kind of faith we have already developed. Simon needed to cultivate a deeper faith which would serve to convert him into a source of strength for the First Century Church. Those who today serve God only when they feel like it will find it nearly impossible to do right at these times. They are “an accident waiting to happen.” They too need to be converted.

In building a local church we must not expect everything to be easy. I’ve often stated to friends that when a church really gets moving strongly, Satan is more concerned to throw up road blocks, than when they are inactive and passive about matters of faith. So there will be tests. Satan will see to it. In fact without any tests we might actually become as weak as water. We have to be willing and able to walk through the fiery trial.

1Peter 1:7 (KJV) 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

How sad it is for Christians to despise the very discipline that will make them strong. How should we handle it when life brings heartache and despair? Again, with the Psalmist, we must make God our refuge.

Psalms 46:1 (KJV) 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Every step of the Christian life teaches us to trust in God and not in ourselves. The conversion from the world to Christ must involve this kind of faith.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) 5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The real question for us is “have we developed this kind of faith?”

The author can be reached for comments at 256.574.2489.

-Terry Broome