In Times of Trouble

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In Times of Trouble

The vast majority of people when they think of grace are reminded of the beautiful old hymn, Amazing Grace.  Grace is the power of God released unto all who put their faith in Christ as the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2).  Jesus died and became the propitiation for all the sins of the world, but grace is given to those who live by faith their sins have been washed away.  Grace is the power of God at work within us relieving us from the burden of washing our own sins away, which could never be done. It is the kindness of God freely giving unmerited favor.  And this favor is broad. The Bible says we are saved by grace, but grace continues to work in us long after we give ourselves to Him. The power of grace is broad. It is His favor. And that brings us to our Verse of the Day:

 

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (NIV)

 

The apostle is giving us a glimpse into a segment of grace that is perfect for the days we live in right now.  People are sick. People have lost loved ones. People are nervous and afraid. People are losing jobs. The economy has hit a standstill.  And all this on top of our everyday troubles. But His grace is all-sufficient.

We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8), but grace is a pervading power in our Christian experience.  In the sense Paul speaks, grace refers to the all-sufficient power of God. In other words, God is able to heal the sickness, overwhelm the trouble, destroy the enemy, replace the funds, but He is also able to sustain the spirit of man in the midst of trouble.  The word for ‘grace’ comes from an original form that means ‘calmly happy.’ Grace is that power that keeps us calm, quiet, , peaceful and even happy while we endure suffering.

Grace fills our mind with the knowledge that suffering does not equate to the absence of God.  As we hurt, He remains. As we bleed, He stays. When all have abandoned us, He sticks closer than a brother.  And as long as He persists with me, confidence abounds that He can heal, fix, change, move, alter, uproot, and destroy anything that comes against me and in the meantime, He will give me His peace.

I fully believe God is able to protect us all from this virus and every other thing that comes against us.  But God’s ultimate goal is not a lack of suffering for His children but salvation for the whole world. If we never struggled, the world would say it is easy to believe because our life is so easy.  It would not drive people to God. It would make them feel undeserving of His grace. But for His children to have peace in our pain, calm in our concerns, and tranquility in trials, reveals a God who can help those in trouble.  Our world is in trouble and we are the testimony of the All-Sufficient God.

He brings friends and strangers, songs and signs, furry animals and smooth jazz, a hug, a book, bluejays and Blue Bell, streams in the wasteland and blossoms in the desert.  He is our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). 

Leave me a comment.  How has God sent you help in times of trouble?  Has the Lord ever sent you to as an instrument of His grace to help another in their time of trouble?

Comments (12)

  1. Valerie Trevino

    Pastor Lee, thank you for your emails. It is in these difficult and trying times that the word of God must be held close to our hearts. I would like to ask a favor of you. Please say a prayer for the nurses deploying to New York to help in this crisis. I am one of those nurses. Yes I am worried but I trust that the Almighty will be with us every step of the way and guide us. Please pray for the patients and their families and the staff that is currently there. We need his Mercy and Grace now and evermore.

    1. User Avatar

      Valerie, first I want to thank you for your servant’s heart as a nurse and your dedication to go to one of the worst-hit areas. May the Lord set his angels around you and all of our nurses, doctors, and all those working in this area. May the Lord protect you in perfect health and perfect peace. May the whisper of the Holy Spirit speak loudly words of assurance, peace, and wisdom. And may He bring you home soon. And may all of our nation’s families’ suffering from the vast effects of this virus be comforted and protected. We call every sick body into order according to God’s creation in Jesus’ name! Amen and amen! Bless you Valerie. Keep me updated so I know how to pray for you.

  2. Juanita Escobedo

    I am a person dealing with anxiety and he has bought me peace at this hard time that we are going through. Praise God

    1. User Avatar

      Juanita, thank you for sharing that. May the Lord continue to sustain you and give you strength to cover every adversity in your life:
      Deuteronomy 33:25
      The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze,
      and your strength will equal your days. (NIV)

  3. Tammy Walker

    Thank you Pastor! For such a Awesome and Profound message about Fear and troubles we are facing today. I personally thank God for those like you to help encourage and remind us Christians that God is still in control and is shall be well with our Souls. Thank you once again my Friend & God Bless you as always ✝️

    1. User Avatar

      Thank you Tammy for such a wonderful note of encouragement. And you are right – GOD IS IN CONTROL AND WE CAN TRUST HIM! Be blessed!

  4. Shirley E Kelly

    Thanks Pastor Lee for your sermon this morning. We can defeat the Giants in our life. But it through His Son Jesus Christ that we will be able to accomplish and defeat any giant. David, the shepherd boy knew that greater is He that is in us than the world, the flesh and the devil. I am so amazed in God’s awesome love and power that He is constantly bestowing upon me. God is good all the time. He is good.
    ‘Praise God!!!

    1. User Avatar

      Thank you Shirley. Amen and amen! God is with us so the devil better watch out!! Many on my blog may not know how to access those sermons. Here is the link to the youtube videos from my church: UCb3_GWjhj4DFtrqjdpVZvPQ

  5. Valerie C Trevino

    Thank you! Will keep you posted 😊

    1. User Avatar

      OK. In the meantime, I will continue to pray!

  6. Bill Towne

    Thank you Lee for the uplifting words and scripture

    1. User Avatar

      Blessings Bill! It was great to talk with you the other day as well!

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