Trouble: February 16, 2010

February 16. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2010.

TROUBLE

DEFINITION:

Annoy; disturb in the mind; worry; put to inconvenience; discomfort; distress; a cause or source of trouble.

SCRIPTURE:

“The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead.” Proverbs 11:8

“Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” Psalm 22:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In life we have the choice of two paths. We can choose the path of righteousness or the path of wickedness. Neither path is trouble-free. Even the righteous will have suffering and troubles in their life. We are told this in Proverbs 34:18-19 where it reads: “The Lord is close to the broken hearted. A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

The believer who has chosen the path of righteousness has the promise of God that He will be close to him in the time of trouble and will deliver him from it. The wicked by their own sinful ways bring more and more trouble upon themselves.

David was no stranger to trouble and suffering. In Psalms 22:11 he recognized that God was the one who could deliver him from trouble and the only one he could call on for help. He called on God to be near to him because there was no one else to help him.

There are so many troubles that we face in life where God is our only source of help. This promise is stated so clearly for us in Psalms 60:11-12 “Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. With God we will gain victory, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”

In the third chapter of Daniel you can read about the trouble that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had because they refused to bow to the golden image that their King Nebuchadnezzar required all to bow to. The scripture tells us that the King was furious and in a rage and gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego before him. The King asked them if it was true that they would not serve his gods or worship the gold image that he had set up.

The King told them to bow now or they would be thrown into a burning fiery furnace. Now it would seem that these men were in more trouble than they could handle. They had to choose the path of righteousness or the path of wickedness. They knew that as believers in God that they would not bow down to false images or gods.

They had to make a choice. They must either bow down or face death in the fiery furnace. They did not hesitate in giving Nebuchadnezzar their answer. They would not bow down to the image. They believed God could save them but even if God chose not to save them they were not willing to worship false gods.

The King was now really full of fury and ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal. He had the men bound and thrown into the furnace. These men knew that they had their trust in God and that God was with them in this time of their real trouble.

Then the King was astonished at what he saw. He asked his counselors if they put only three men in the furnace because he could now see four. Then the King said that the fourth man is like the Son of God. He ordered the men taken out of the furnace and said to the men who came out to come to him. Then the King said; “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego” and he decreed that no man should speak against the God of these men or they would be sliced to pieces.

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that their God was the true God with these words: “for no other god can save in this way.”

What a wonderful illustration God has given us. If God could help these men in their time of trouble, surely He can be with us in our times of trouble. Though it is very difficult for us to understand at the time, it is the troubles of life that help shape us into what God wants us to be. The next time trouble comes along in your life, and it is never far away from us, ask the Lord, “What would You have me learn from this?”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 2:8-9.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

PRAYER:

My prayer today is that You would stay close to me and keep me away from trouble. Increase my faith so I truly understand that You are with me in my times of trouble. Bless and care for my family just as You care for me.