Do you suffer with problems in your life? Yes, we all do. Some troubles come from health issues, family matters, finance – and the list goes on. But, rest assured. Nothing is too big for God. If we only trust Him, God can help soothe our souls.
Israel did not understand this in Deuteronomy. After all God did for Israel in Egypt like bringing them to the promised land, they still had trouble obeying His laws.
What does that have to do with us?
Well, how good are we at turning to and trusting God when problems arise? I thought so. Read on ..
In Trouble? God Can Help – If He Can Free Them from Egypt..
In these verses from Deuteronomy, God once again explains who He is. And, He tells how He lead Israel through her darkest times in history.
He talks about the miracles He performed in Egypt during the Exodus.
And yet, the people still seemed to have the same struggle of following and obeying God’s laws. They did not realize these laws would form their future.
With that said, let’s examine ourselves. Who do we turn to first when times are tough?
Read the Bible lesson to see how this ties in with our lives as Christians.
The Lord is God
“.. To you it was shown that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him.
Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire.
Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them.
And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today.
Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” – Deuteronomy 4:35-40 NASB
In God We Trust? Do We Really Trust God to Help?
In Deuteronomy 4, God is talking to Israel. He tells them who He is and what He can do for them. But, just as we do, the people still did not put all their trust in Him.
Who Do We Turn To?
Well, in time of sickness, we turn to the doctor. And, if symptoms are present that he or she can’t explain, we go to a specialist.
For financial help we go to an expert advisor. Yes, we expect this expert to get us out of the jam we put ourselves into.
Is this a bad thing?
No, I believe God can work through physicians, financial advisors, and anyone else who is needed by people in trouble.
Who Comes First? God or His “Helpers”?
Even though we all need professional people from time to time, are these the first we turn to?
If you are like me, many times the answer is yes!
Was Israel Exempt from Harm?
No, although the laws God set before them were designed to give them healthier lives and structure for forming a nation, this did not exclude them from the same problems we have today.
They prospered as a people through obedience to God. But, they still suffered from..
- disease
- heartbreak from loss of loved ones
- family issues
- and poverty.
When We Follow God ..
As Christians, we are exposed to the same afflictions facing the rest of the world.
Because we are not immune, it’s so important to recognize that God is in control of the big picture.
We don’t always know His will. But, we always know He is there for us.
Also, we have the comfort of knowing that we are forgiven for our misgivings.
And, a better place awaits us when we leave this world.
Just about every Christian knows the famous verse from John 3:16.
But, they fail to move on to 3:17.
It says;
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.“
The “Up Look”
A quote I heard long ago (not sure who said it) states;
“When the outlook looks dim, try the up look – It’s always good.“.
This is where we stand with God through Christ. Aren’t you glad?
Love in Christ
– Bob
To learn more about Christ’s’ gift to you, please take a moment to read this from John 3:16.