God Is Our Very Present Help in Troubling Times
It can feel like every time we turn on the news; we hear about another crisis. Wars continue to rage, innocent lives are being lost, and conflicts around the world seem to grow more dangerous each day. Families are grieving, nations are divided, and uncertainty has become a part of daily life. Closer to home, we also face our own struggles. Rising prices, health concerns, broken relationships, violence, and uncertainty about the future can leave many people feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
So, what should those who trust in God do during times like these? The Bible gives us a clear answer. Instead of allowing fear to take over, God tells us not to become consumed by the actions of those who do evil, because their power is only temporary (Psalm 37:1-2). Rather, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Him. When we focus our minds on the Lord, He promises to give us His perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Even when situations seem beyond our control, nothing is beyond His. We may feel weak at times, but God reminds us that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). The enemy wants us to live in fear. He wants us to believe that the problems surrounding us are greater than the God who lives within us. But throughout Scripture, we see ordinary people who chose faith over fear.
Queen Esther is one such example. Faced with the possibility of death, she courageously approached the king to save her people, saying, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). Her confidence was not in herself but in God's purpose. That same confidence can be ours today. We can choose to have hearts that are steadfast, refusing to be tossed back and forth by every frightening headline or discouraging report. Like David, we can believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
The news may try to fill us with fear, confusion, and hopelessness, but God's Word fills us with faith, peace, and hope. We can boldly declare, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). No matter what is happening in our nation or around the world, God is still on His throne.
He controls the times and the seasons, and He is still working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). So, let us not live in fear. Let us live in faith, trusting that our God is—and always will be—a very present help in troubling times.
Psalm 37:1, 2
New International Version
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Isaiah 26:3
New King James Version
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Hebrews 12:2
New International Version
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Philippians 4:13
New International Version
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Esther 4:16
New International Version
16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Psalm 27:13
New International Version
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Romans 8:31
New International Version
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:28
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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