WHEN TROUBLES COME

It is not a matter of “If” troubles will come, but “When” will troubles come and how will we deal with them when they do. Troubles are a natural part of the human experience. We should use the troubles of this life as a time to draw closer to God. If we use our troubles to get closer to God there might come some great good from them that we can not even see at the moment. Troubles allow God to do amazing works in our life. People often grow more spiritually in those times of trouble than any other time in their life. Our troubles might be the tool that can be used to bring others to Christ. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The Lord wants to help you deal with your troubles!

Satan uses us to cause many of our own problems. Joel the prophet wrote of how Judah had rebelled against the Lord and now they faced “the day of the Lord.” In Joel 1:19-20 he wrote, “O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field. The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.” In times of trouble Joel wanted to turn the hearts of the people to God. As the psalmist understood he wanted them to understand, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2) Joel said, “O LORD, to thee will I cry.”

To cry unto the Lord during trouble is the right thing to do: The Bible says, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18) The Christian should and must pray to God during times of trouble. That is the right thing to do. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

To cry unto the Lord during troubles is the wise thing to do: Other men are helpless themselves so how can they help us? In the book of Deuteronomy we read, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” (Deuteronomy 4:7) Each new problem calls for renewed trust in our God. We have assurance that He is able to help. Have you been facing a time of pain or heartache? The wise thing to do is to turn to God for help.

To cry unto the Lord during trouble is the natural thing to do: It is a natural thing when our troubles lead us to prayer. Joel even pictured the beasts of the field crying to God in the time of trouble. It is a good thing when our troubles lead us to God. When we are facing painful times we need to call on the God of Israel. The psalmist prayed, “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 25:22) The Lord is there for us. He has offered us help. So therefore, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:3)

To cry unto the Lord during trouble is, (1) The right thing to do, (2) The wise thing to do, and (3) The natural thing to do. Today is the day when we should put ourselves in a position that the Lord will hear us when we cry unto Him. Will you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior this day? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized in order to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21) After bap­tism worship God, serve Him and call upon Him when troubles come!