Indeed, what is there to be afraid of from those around us, when the Lord is our God? And if we are to fear anyone or anything, is it not God? When we stand firm on His promises, we look at life differently. Sure, bad things happen – we are living in a broken world, after all!
I’m often amazed that people can get the impression that becoming a Christian will somehow give them a safe and happy life. Have you not read what happened to Jesus’ disciples? They were thrown off buildings, sawn in half, beheaded, boiled alive… Jesus came right out and told us that we will have trials and tribulation if we follow Him - so if you are looking for the easy life, this really may not be the best way to go about it!
But here is the secret: Each of these people learned to rejoice in the Lord regardless of their circumstances. You see, they know that this life is not about this life. This life is about God and His promises for the next life. Circumstances change – God’s promises remain! Look at what this Old Testament prophet had to say:
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls--
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
God told Habakkuk that the Babylonians were being sent to destroy Jerusalem and take the prophet’s people into slavery. Habakkuk’s response? Yes, bad things happen - yet I will praise God because trust in His promises overrules every bad thing that can be thrown at us in this life!
It’s not just Habakkuk – you can look at Job, David, Paul, and many others to see that bad things happening in this broken world is not the litmus test for whether God is good. God promises His followers a wonderful and joy-filled eternal life with Him – not necessarily the easy life in this present darkness.
#LoveMatters